Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and host resistance to the pathogenic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a multifunctional cytokine that is critically important in host defenses to a number of pathogenic microbes. Among those, this cytokine is necessary for control of infection with the pathogenic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum. Antagonism of endogenous cytokine is associated with an enhanced susceptibility to histoplasmosis in both mice and humans. The mechanisms by which TNF-alpha modulates the protective immune response will be discussed.
Deepe
George S
GS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. george.deepe@uc.edu
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; C506236:Tnfrsf1a protein, mouse; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha