|
|||||
|
|
A Role for Interleukin-6 in Host Defense against Murine Chlamydia trachomatis Infection |
|
| Authors: | Dwight M. Williams Barry G. Grubbs Toni Darville Kathleen Kelly Roger G. Rank |
| Affiliation: | Division of Infectious Diseases, Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital,1. and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio,2. San Antonio, Texas 78284, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 722053. |
| Abstract: | Interleukin-6-deficient (IL-6−/−) knockout mice had significantly increased Chlamydia trachomatis levels in lung tissue and increased mortality compared to B6129F2/J controls early after intranasal infection. Gamma interferon production and chlamydia-specific antibody levels were consistent with a decreased but reversible Th1-like response in IL-6−/− mice. IL-6 is needed for an optimal early host response to this infection. |
| Keywords: | |