scholarly journals Protective Role of Gamma Interferon in Experimental Pulmonary Paracoccidioidomycosis

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 800-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luz E. Cano ◽  
Suely S. Kashino ◽  
Celina Arruda ◽  
Denise André ◽  
Cynthia F. Xidieh ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We have developed a murine model of pulmonary infection byParacoccidioides brasiliensis in which resistance was associated with immunological activities governed by gamma interferon (IFN-γ). To better characterize this model, we measured type 1 and type 2 cytokines in the lungs and investigated the effect of endogenous IFN-γ depletion by monoclonal antibodies in the course of infection of susceptible (B10.A) and resistant (A/Sn) mice. At weeks 4 and 8 after infection, lungs from susceptible animals presented levels of IFN-γ, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-10 higher than those in resistant mice. In both mouse strains, neutralization of endogenous IFN-γ induced exacerbation of the pulmonary infection, earlier fungal dissemination to the liver and spleen, impairment of the specific cellular immune response resulting in significantly lower delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, and increased levels of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)- and IgG2b-specific antibodies. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that depletion of IFN-γ changes the focal granulomatous lesions found in the lungs of B10.A and A/Sn mice into coalescent granulomata which destroy the pulmonary architecture. These results suggest that irrespective of the mouse strain, IFN-γ plays a protective role and that this cytokine is one major mediator of resistance against P. brasiliensis infection in mice.

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 2369-2378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Pina ◽  
Rita C. Valente-Ferreira ◽  
Eugênia E. W. Molinari-Madlum ◽  
Celidéia A. C. Vaz ◽  
Alexandre C. Keller ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Host resistance to paracoccidiodomycosis, the main deep mycosis in Latin America, is mainly due to cellular immunity and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. To assess the role of interleukin-4 (IL-4), a Th2-inducing cytokine, pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis was studied in IL-4-deficient (IL-4−/−) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice at the innate and acquired phases of immune response. Forty-eight hours after infection, equivalent numbers of viable Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells were recovered from the lungs of IL-4−/− and WT mice intratracheally infected with one million fungal cells. Alveolar macrophages from infected IL-4−/− mice controlled in vitro fungal growth more efficiently than macrophages from WT mice and secreted higher levels of nitric oxide. Compared with WT mice, IL-4−/− animals presented increased levels of pulmonary IFN-γ and augmented polymorphonuclear leukocyte influx to the lungs. Decreased pulmonary fungal loads were characterized in deficient mice at week 2 postinfection, concomitant with diminished presence of IL-10. At week 8, lower numbers of yeasts were recovered from lungs and liver of IL-4−/− mice associated with increased production of IFN-γ but impaired synthesis of IL-5 and IL-10. However, a clear shift to a Th1 pattern was not characterized, since IL-4−/− mice did not alter delayed-type hypersensitivity anergy or IL-2 levels. In addition, IL-4 deficiency resulted in significantly reduced levels of pulmonary IL-12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-3, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and specific antibody isotypes. In IL-4−/− mice, well-organized granulomas restraining fungal cells replaced the more extensive lesions containing high numbers of fungi and inflammatory leukocytes developed by IL-4-sufficient mice. These results clearly showed that genetically determined deficiency of IL-4 can exert a protective role in pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 2424-2430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanae Sasaki ◽  
Shinsuke Nishikawa ◽  
Tomisato Miura ◽  
Mayuko Mizuki ◽  
Kyogo Yamada ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Our previous study showed that gamma interferon (IFN-γ), a T-helper 1 (Th1)-type cytokine, plays a detrimental role inStaphylococcus aureus infection in mice. In this study, the role of Th2-type cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 inS. aureus infection was investigated. IL-10 mRNA was induced in parallel with IFN-γ in the spleens and kidneys of mice during S. aureus infection, whereas IL-4 mRNA was induced in the spleens but not in the kidneys of these animals. Spleen cells obtained from S. aureus-infected mice produced lower titers of IFN-γ and higher titers of IL-4 and IL-10 in response to heat-killed S. aureus than did those from uninfected mice. Administration of anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) or anti-IL-10 MAb inhibited the elimination of S. aureus cells from the kidneys of mice. IFN-γ mRNA expression was enhanced in the spleens of anti-IL-4 MAb- or anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice and also in the kidneys of anti-IL-4 MAb-treated animals. Next, we evaluated the role of IFN-γ in S. aureus infection in IFN-γ−/−mice. An increase in survival rates, a decrease in bacterial numbers in the kidneys, and an amelioration of histologic abnormalities in these organs were observed in IFN-γ−/− mice compared with those in IFN-γ+/+ mice. Administration of MAb against IL-4 or IL-10 failed to affect bacterial growth in the spleens and kidneys of IFN-γ−/− mice irrespective of the expression of Th2 response. These results suggest that S. aureusinfection induced a Th2 response and that IL-4 and IL-10 might play a protective role through the regulation of IFN-γ in S. aureus infection.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1708-1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Káposzta ◽  
Peter Tree ◽  
László Maródi ◽  
Siamon Gordon

ABSTRACT Murine models of invasive candidiasis were used to study the in vivo importance of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in host defense against Candida albicans and to characterize the tissue inflammatory reactions, with special reference to macrophages (Mφ). Knockout (KO) IFN-γ-deficient (GKO) and IL-4-deficient (IL-4 KO) and C57BL/6 parental mouse strains were challenged intraperitoneally with 108 C. albicans blastoconidia. Survival of GKO mice was significantly lower (16.7%) than that of C57BL/6 control (55.5%) and IL-4 KO (61.1%) animals, but was not correlated with the extent of organ colonization. Immunohistological analysis with a panel of myeloid and lymphoid markers revealed multiple renal abscesses, myocarditis, hepatitis, meningoencephalitis, and pneumonia in each strain, with a dominant presence of Mφ. In the absence of IFN-γ, C. albicans induced striking changes in the phenotype of alveolar Mφ and extensive perivascular lymphoid infiltrates in the lung. Impairment in nitric oxide production by peritoneal Mφ was shown only in GKO mice, and they produced Candida-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA, and IgG subclasses in lower titers. Our in vivo studies with KO mice elucidate a critical role for IFN-γ, but not IL-4, in host defense against C. albicans.


2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1530-1536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna I. Gergel ◽  
Martha B. Furie

ABSTRACT Some diseases are characterized by prevalence in the affected tissues of type 1 T lymphocytes, which secrete gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and other proinflammatory cytokines. For example, type 1 T cells predominate in the lesions of patients with Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. We used an in vitro model of the blood vessel wall to test the premise that the vascular endothelium actively recruits circulating type 1 T cells to such lesions. When T lymphocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were examined, the populations that traversed monolayers of resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) or HUVEC stimulated by interleukin-1β or B. burgdorferi were markedly enriched for T cells that produced IFN-γ compared to the initially added population of T cells. No enrichment was seen for cells that produced interleukin-4, a marker for type 2 T lymphocytes. Very late antigen-4 and CD11/CD18 integrins mediated passage of the T cells across both resting and stimulated HUVEC, and the endothelium-derived chemokine CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) was responsible for the enhanced migration of T cells across stimulated HUVEC. These results suggest that the vascular endothelium may contribute to the selective accumulation of type 1 T cells in certain pathological lesions, including those of Lyme disease.


2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 2653-2666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Shiomi ◽  
Atsuhiro Masuda ◽  
Shin Nishiumi ◽  
Masayuki Nishida ◽  
Tetsuya Takagawa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Citrobacter rodentium, a murine model pathogen for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, colonizes the surface of intestinal epithelial cells and causes mucosal inflammation. This bacterium is an ideal model for investigating pathogen-host immune interactions in the gut. It is well known that gene transcripts for Th1 cytokines are highly induced in colonic tissue from mice infected with C. rodentium. However, it remains to be seen whether the Th1 or Th2 cytokines produced by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells provide effective regulation of the host immune defense against C. rodentium infection. To investigate the antigen-specific immune responses, C. rodentium expressing ovalbumin (OVA-C. rodentium), a model antigen, was generated and used to define antigen-specific responses under gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-deficient or interleukin-4 (IL-4)-deficient conditions in vivo. The activation of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and macrophage phagocytosis were evaluated in the presence of IFN-γ or IL-4 in vitro. IFN-γ-deficient mice exhibited a loss of body weight and a higher bacterial concentration in feces during OVA-C. rodentium infection than C57BL/6 (wild type) or IL-4-deficient mice. This occurred through the decreased efficiency of macrophage phagocytosis and the activation of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, a deficiency in antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell-expressed IFN-γ led to a higher susceptibility to mucosal and gut-derived systemic OVA-C. rodentium infection. These results show that the IFN-γ produced by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells plays an important role in the defense against C. rodentium.


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (02n03) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Nakada ◽  
Kenji Watanabe ◽  
Guang-Bi Jin ◽  
Kazuo Toriizuka ◽  
Toshihiko Hanawa

Ninjin-Youei-To (NYT; Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang in Chinese) is a traditional herbal formula, which is widely used in Japan, Korea and China to modulate physiological immunity. The effects of oral administration of NYT on cytokine production from splenocytes were investigated in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice in which Th1 and Th2 were dominant, respectively. Splenocytes from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, which took NYT orally for four weeks, were cultured with anti-mouse CD3 mAb, and the supernatant was examined for cytokine production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Administration of NYT to C57BL/6 mice, increased the production of interleukin-4 (IL-4) significantly, and slightly decreased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production from splenocytes. In contrast, the same treatment significantly increased IFN-γ secretion from splenocytes of BALB/c mice. No remarkable changes of IL-12 production from splenocytes were observed in either strain of mice. These results suggest that oral administration of NYT ameliorates the excessive inclination of Th1 and Th2 type cytokine production, and NYT may provide a beneficial effects for the treatment of diseases caused by a skewed Th1-Th2 balance in the immune system.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 5393-5400 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Rhodes ◽  
N. Palmer ◽  
S. P. Graham ◽  
A. E. Bianco ◽  
R. G. Hewinson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study shows that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokine responses are produced by peripheral blood cells in cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis. The different kinetics of the IFN-γ and IL-4 responses to bovine tuberculin and to ESAT-6 following experimental intratracheal infection with M. bovis are described. An early increase in IFN-γ was observed that was maintained throughout the period studied. In contrast, the IL-4 response was delayed and confined to a peak of activity lasting 6 to 8 weeks. Interestingly, an experimental challenge of cattle with a lower dose of M. bovis which did not result in the development of lesions, positive DTH skin test, or substantial IFN-γ responses nevertheless generated strong specific IL-4 responses. Investigation of naturally infected M. bovis field reactors showed increased IFN-γ and IL-4 responses compared to uninfected cattle and that both of these cytokines were equally able to differentiate infected from uninfected animals. The magnitude of theM. bovis-induced IL-4 responses were found to be similar to the antigen-specific IL-4 responses of cattle infected with the parasitic nematode Onchocerca ochengi, further supporting the presence of this type 2 cytokine in bovine tuberculosis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1896-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Ryan ◽  
Steeve Giguère

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to compare relative vaccine-specific serum immunoglobulin concentrations, vaccine-specific lymphoproliferative responses, and cytokine profiles of proliferating lymphocytes between 3-day-old foals, 3-month-old foals, and adult horses after vaccination with a killed adjuvanted vaccine. Horses were vaccinated intramuscularly twice at 3-week intervals with a vaccine containing antigens from bovine viral respiratory pathogens to avoid interference from maternal antibody. Both groups of foals and adult horses responded to the vaccine with a significant increase in vaccine-specific IgGa and IgG(T) concentrations. In contrast, only adult horses and 3-month-old foals mounted significant vaccine-specific total IgG, IgGb, and IgM responses. Vaccine-specific concentrations of IgM and IgG(T) were significantly different between all groups, with the highest concentrations occurring in adult horses, followed by 3-month-old foals and, finally, 3-day-old foals. Only the adult horses mounted significant vaccine-specific lymphoproliferative responses. Baseline gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) concentrations were significantly lower in 3-day-old foals than in adult horses. Vaccination resulted in a significant decrease in IFN-γ concentrations in adult horses and a significant decrease in IL-4 concentrations in 3-day-old foals. After vaccination, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in both groups of foals was significantly higher than that in adult horses. The results of this study indicate that the humoral and lymphoproliferative immune responses to this killed adjuvanted vaccine are modest in newborn foals. Although immune responses improve with age, 3-month-old foals do not respond with the same magnitude as adult horses.


2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 3169-3177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara G. Shainheit ◽  
Rosita Saraceno ◽  
Lindsey E. Bazzone ◽  
Laura I. Rutitzky ◽  
Miguel J. Stadecker

ABSTRACT In schistosomiasis mansoni, parasite eggs cause hepatointestinal granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis mediated by CD4 T cells specific for egg antigens. The severity of disease varies extensively in humans and among mouse strains. Marked disease exacerbation induced in typically low-pathology C57BL/6 mice by immunization with schistosome egg antigens (SEA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (SEA/CFA) correlates with elevated production of the proinflammatory cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17), which are regulated by IL-12 and IL-23, respectively. Here we examined the effect on the schistosome infection of a third member of the IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines, IL-27, using SEA/CFA-immunized and unimmunized mice deficient in the IL-27 receptor chain WSX-1 (WSX-1−/−). SEA-stimulated bulk mesenteric lymph node cells or CD4 T cells from 7-week-infected WSX-1−/− mice produced significantly less IFN-γ than did those from C57BL/6 mice, even though there was no difference between these mice in exacerbated hepatic egg-induced granulomatous inflammation or in the levels of IL-17 induced by immunization with SEA/CFA. A fraction of the cells in the granulomas stained positive for IL-27, but there were no significant differences between WSX-1−/− and BL/6 mice, nor were there differences in the number of CD4 T cells and eosinophils. A 24-week chronic infection resulted in markedly reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, in WSX-1−/− mice, but again the magnitude of immunopathology was not significantly different between the two groups. These findings indicate that despite the impaired IFN-γ production, IL-27 signaling has no significant effect on either the magnitude of egg-induced immunopathology or on its closest in vitro correlate, IL-17.


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