Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-7-5
pubmed:abstractText
Cell-mediated immune responses appear to be critical in the outcome of cryptococcosis. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) was studied for its potential use as a therapeutic agent because of its stimulation of natural killer cells and gamma interferon production by stimulated T cells and natural killer cells. Gamma interferon-activated macrophages are important in host resistance against cryptococcosis. In two separate studies, male BALB/c mice were infected intravenously with Cryptococcus neoformans. In the first study, mice received either no treatment, 5.0 mg of fluconazole alone per kg of body weight per day (by gavage twice daily), or IL-12 subcutaneously at 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 microgram/day once daily (low-dose study) alone or in combination with 5.0 mg of fluconazole per kg/day. In a second study (high dose), the dosages of IL-12 used were 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 micrograms/day. Therapy was given for 10 consecutive days, and the number of CFU of C. neoformans remaining in various organs was quantitated 1 or 2 days after administration of the last dose. In the low-dose study, IL-12 at 0.1 or 1.0 microgram reduced the level of brain infection by approximately 10-fold (P < 0.05) and IL-12 at 1.0 or 0.1 microgram/day enhanced the efficacy of fluconazole. In liver, both the efficacy of IL-12 alone (0.01 or 0.1 microgram; P < 0.05) and enhancement of the efficacy of fluconazole (P < 0.05) were seen. No efficacy of IL-12 was seen in spleens or lungs, although spleen weights increased fourfold in mice given 1.0 microgram of IL-12 per day. In the high-dose study, all IL-12 doses alone again reduced the levels of brain infection (5- to 8-fold; P < 0.05) when the two were given in combination. No overt toxicities were observed at any dose, and overall, 1.0 microgram of IL-12 per day was found to be the optimal dosage for reducing infection in the brain. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the efficacy of cytokine therapy in systemic and particularly brain infections with C. neoformans. The stimulation of cell-mediated immunity represents a new approach to therapy and can enhance suboptimal antimicrobial chemotherapy. IL-12 should be considered for further study and for clinical trials. These studies suggest that other opportunistic central nervous system pathogens should also be investigated.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1352483, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1353081, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1482133, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1500177, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1672545, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1682265, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1713608, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-1898905, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-2091732, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-2504877, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-2659531, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-3138176, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-3510251, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-6265377, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-7687197, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8097337, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8097338, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8097524, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8098733, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8335378, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8403491, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/7911289-8468479
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0066-4804
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
38
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
460-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1994
pubmed:articleTitle
Cytokine treatment of central nervous system infection: efficacy of interleukin-12 alone and synergy with conventional antifungal therapy in experimental cryptococcosis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128-2699.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't