Muazzam Jacobs, Lizette Fick, Nasiema Allie, Najmeeyah Brown, Bernhard Ryffel
Enhanced Immune Response in Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG)-Infected IL-10-Deficient Mice
The role of the endogenous interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the
control of Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette
Guerin (BCG) infection was assessed using IL-10-deficient
(IL-10-/-)mice. Similar to wild-type (WT) mice, IL-10-/- mice were resistant to intravenous challenge with
Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Significantly higher plasma
concentrations of IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor
(TNF) indicated an elevated protective immune response
of IL-10-/- mice. Determination of bacilli burden
in IL-10-/- mice showed accelerated clearance in the
lungs, spleen and the liver in comparison to WT mice.
Enhanced inflammation and a vigorous granulomatous
response accompanied accelerated mycobacterial
clearance. Immunohistochemical analysis of hepatic
granulomas from IL-10-/- mice revealed augmented
lymphocyte recruitment and macrophage activation,
such as increased major histocompatibility complex
(MHC) class II and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
expression. Further, it was found that enlarged granulomas
persisted subsequent to mycobacterial clearance
and failed to resolve in the absence of IL-10. In conclusion,
endogenous IL-10 dampens the cell-mediated immune response to mycobacterial infection.
Clinical Chemical Laboratory Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1434-6621
Volume: 40, 09/2002
Pages: 893 - 902
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