Abstract |
Previous studies comparing interleukin 4 receptor α (IL-4Rα)(-/-) and interleukin 4 (IL-4)(-/-) BALB/c mice have indicated that interleukin 13 (IL-13), whose receptor shares the IL-4Rα subunit with IL-4, plays a protective role during visceral leishmaniasis. We demonstrate that IL-13(-/-) BALB/c mice were less able to control hepatic growth of Leishmania donovani compared with wild-type mice. This correlated with significantly retarded granuloma maturation in IL-13(-/-) mice, defective interferon γ (IFN-γ) production, and elevated IL-4 and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels. L. donovani-infected IL-13(-/-) mice also responded poorly to sodium stibogluconate-mediated chemotherapy compared with wild-type BALB/c mice. Because murine lymphocytes do not have IL-13 receptors, we examined the ability of macrophage/neutrophil-specific IL-4Rα(-/-) mice to control primary infection with L. donovani and to respond to chemotherapy. Macrophage/neutrophil-specific IL-4Rα(-/-) mice were as resistant to leishmaniasis as wild-type mice, and chemotherapy retained its efficacy. Consequently, in L. donovani infected BALB/c mice, IL-13 promotes hepatic granuloma formation and controls parasite burdens independently of direct effects on macrophages/neutrophils.
|
Authors | Emma McFarlane, Katharine C Carter, Andrew N McKenzie, Paul M Kaye, Frank Brombacher, James Alexander |
Journal | The Journal of infectious diseases
(J Infect Dis)
Vol. 204
Issue 1
Pg. 36-43
(Jul 01 2011)
ISSN: 1537-6613 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21628656
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- Il4ra protein, mouse
- Interleukin-13
- Receptors, Cell Surface
|
Topics |
- Animals
- Female
- Granuloma
(immunology, parasitology, pathology)
- Interleukin-13
(deficiency, immunology)
- Leishmania donovani
(immunology, pathogenicity)
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral
(immunology, parasitology, pathology)
- Macrophages
(immunology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Knockout
- Neutrophils
(immunology)
- Receptors, Cell Surface
(immunology)
|