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Infect. Immun., 04 1995, 1158-1164, Vol 63, No. 4
P Matthys, T Mitera, H Heremans, J Van Damme and A Billiau
Administration of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) to BALB/c mice was
found to induce a cytokine release syndrome hallmarked by weight loss and
hypoglycemia. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody against gamma interferon
(IFN-gamma) given before SEB counteracted weight loss and prevented
hypoglycemia. This protective effect of anti-IFN-gamma antibody was
associated with decreased IFN-gamma levels in serum; tumor necrosis factor
(TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels remained unchanged. A monoclonal
anti-IL-6 antibody, known for its ability to cause accumulation of
biologically active IL-6 in the circulation, did not modify SEB-induced
body weight loss or hypoglycemia. Levels of TNF, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 in
serum were all more elevated in anti-IL-6- treated mice than in
corresponding SEB-challenged control mice. In D- galactosamine-sensitized
mice, SEB-induced weight loss but not hypoglycemia was more severe,
resulting mostly in death within 24 h. Higher levels of biologically active
TNF and IFN-gamma in serum were noted in these mice than in mice receiving
SEB only. In D-galactosamine- sensitized mice, anti-IFN-gamma antibody did
prevent hypoglycemia but failed to reduce the severity of the syndrome.
Again, TNF levels in anti-IFN-gamma-treated mice remained unchanged.
Pretreatment with anti- IL-6 antibody temporarily attenuated SEB-induced
hypoglycemia in sensitized mice. Thus, at 6 h post-SEB injection,
anti-IL-6-treated mice were less hypoglycemic than corresponding controls.
However, at 24 h, hypoglycemia was significantly aggravated. Concomitantly,
IL-6 levels were dramatically increased. Neither anti-IFN-gamma nor
anti-IL- 6 antibody treatment modulated mortality levels in
D-galactosamine- sensitized mice. The data obtained with anti-IFN-gamma
antibody clearly indicate that endogenous IFN-gamma is instrumental in
bringing about hypoglycemia and body weight loss in mice exposed to SEB but
also that hypoglycemia is not a crucial determinant of mortality in D-
galactosamine-sensitized mice. The data obtained with anti-IL-6 antibody
indicate that endogenous IL-6 is involved in regulating the levels of TNF
and IFN-gamma in serum.
Copyright © 1995, American Society for Microbiology
Anti-gamma interferon and anti-interleukin-6 antibodies affect staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced weight loss, hypoglycemia, and cytokine release in D-galactosamine-sensitized and unsensitized mice
Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute, University of Leuven, Belgium.
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