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Infect. Immun., Apr 1995, 1218-1222, Vol 63, No. 4
E Blasi, R Barluzzi, R Mazzolla, L Pitzurra, M Puliti, S Saleppico and F Bistoni
We have recently shown that intracerebral (i.c.) administration of heat-
killed Cryptococcus neoformans (HCN) enhances mouse resistance to a
subsequent local challenge with lethal doses of viable yeast cells. Here we
show that i.c. administration of HCN is also effective in significantly
delaying brain colonization of mice intravenously infected with viable C.
neoformans. PCR analysis revealed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1 beta
gene expression occurs in brain of HCN-treated mice but not in brains of
saline-treated controls. In contrast, no differences are observed in terms
of tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1 alpha gene transcripts, which are
slightly and highly detectable, respectively, in saline-treated mice and
which remain such also following HCN treatment. Furthermore, i.c.
administration of exogenous IL-6 or IL-1 beta, but not tumor necrosis
factor alpha, before local challenge with viable C. neoformans results in
significantly reduced microbial counts in the brain and blood and in
increased mouse survival. Taken together, these observations provide
initial evidence that brain anticryptococcal resistance involves
elicitation of a local cytokine response, involving primarily IL-6 and IL-1
beta.
Copyright © 1995, American Society for Microbiology
Biomolecular events involved in anticryptococcal resistance in the brain
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy.
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