Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-6-24
pubmed:abstractText
We examined the role of IL-12 in host resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans using a murine model of pulmonary and disseminated infection. In this model, mice were infected intratracheally with viable yeast cells. Mice untreated with IL-12 allowed an uncontrolled multiplication of yeast cells in the lung with infiltrations of few inflammatory cells, and a cryptococcal dissemination to the brain and meningitis by 3 weeks, resulting in death of all animals within 4-6 weeks. IL-12, when administered from the day of tracheal infection for 7 days, induced a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells, consisting mostly of mononuclear cells, and significantly reduced the number of viable yeast cells in the lung. The treatment suppressed brain dissemination, as shown by a marked reduction of yeast cells in the brain and prevention of meningitis. These effects resulted in a significant increase in the survival rate of infected mice. In contrast, late administration of IL-12 commencing on day 7 after instillation of yeast cells failed to protect the mice against infection with C. neoformans. In further experiments, early administration of IL-12 markedly induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA in the lungs of infected mice, while no IFN-gamma mRNA was detected without this treatment. Our results indicate that IL-12 is effective when administered in the early period of pulmonary cryptococcal infection.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0009-9104
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
104
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
208-14
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
IL-12 protects mice against pulmonary and disseminated infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans.
pubmed:affiliation
First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article