IL-4 reduces resistance of mice to Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Citation
K. Hiyama et al., IL-4 reduces resistance of mice to Trypanosoma cruzi infection, PARASIT RES, 87(4), 2001, pp. 269-274
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
ISSN journal
0932-0113 → ACNP
Volume
87
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
269 - 274
Database
ISI
SICI code
0932-0113(200104)87:4<269:IRROMT>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
The role of IL-4 has often been studied, especially in the Leishmania major infection model. but not in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In the present st udy, the role of IL-4 in host defense against infection with the Tulahuen s train of T. cruzi was examined by depleting IL-4 with an anti-IL-gamma mono clonal antibody in vivo. In both IL-4 depleted and control C57BL/6 mice, th e parasitemia showed peaks on the 21st day of infection. Both parasitemia a nd mortality were decreased in IL-4 depleted mice compared with control mic e when IFN-gamma: and nitric oxide productions were increased in IL-4 deple ted mice compared with control mice. The mice treated with N-nitro-L-argini ne methyl ester, a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, showed i ncreased susceptibility to T. cruzi infection to the same level in both IL- 4 depleted and control mice. Thus, it is suggested that endogenous IL-4 ind uces susceptibility to T. cruzi mainly by suppressing the production of IFN -gamma and nitric oxide, which has trypanocidal activity.