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Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in IL-6-deficient mice.
- Source :
-
International archives of allergy and immunology [Int Arch Allergy Immunol] 2003 Feb; Vol. 130 (2), pp. 165-72. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is one of the most destructive diseases of the eye. The host response to this infection is critical to the outcome. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in this response; however, the mechanisms by which IL-6 contributes to the host defences in corneal infection remain unclear. Using IL-6-/- mice, we have explored the role of IL-6 in P. aeruginosa keratitis.<br />Methods: The eyes of IL-6 gene knockout and wild-type mice were challenged topically with P. aeruginosa and examined on days 1-7. Keratitis was examined clinically and histologically. Cytokine, chemokine and complement 3 levels were determined by ELISA and ICAM-1 by immunohistochemistry.<br />Results: Clinically, the IL-6-/- mice showed more severe disease than wild-type mice and this was supported by the histological findings. More than 2-fold higher bacterial load was detected in the eyes of the IL-6-/- mice than in those of the wild-type mice. Neutrophil infiltration to the central cornea of the IL-6-/- mice failed to occur in response to infection, although a greater number of neutrophils were present in the whole eye. This may in part be due to the reduced expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in the cornea, but does not appear to stem from insufficient production of chemokines or complement 3.<br />Conclusions: Our findings indicate that IL-6 is critical to the host defence of the cornea during P. aeruginosa infection. Pharmacological manipulation of the IL-6 response may represent a rational strategy for new interventions.<br /> (Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Chemokines biosynthesis
Chemokines immunology
Complement C3 biosynthesis
Complement C3 immunology
Histocytochemistry
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 biosynthesis
Interleukin-6 immunology
Keratitis microbiology
Keratitis pathology
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Neutrophils immunology
Pseudomonas Infections microbiology
Pseudomonas Infections pathology
Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
Interleukin-6 deficiency
Keratitis immunology
Pseudomonas Infections immunology
Pseudomonas aeruginosa immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1018-2438
- Volume :
- 130
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International archives of allergy and immunology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12673071
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000069006