Antibody against interleukin-6 reduces inflammation and numbers of cysts in brains of mice with toxoplasmic encephalitis

Y. Suzuki, Q. Yang, F. K. Conley, J. S. Abrams, J. S. Remington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis in C57BL/6 mice with monoclonal antibody (MAb) against interleukin-6 (IL-6) resulted in a remarkable decrease in the number of foci of acute inflammation in their brains caused by proliferation of tachyzoites. In brains of mice treated with isotype control MAb and those treated with anti-IL-6 MAb, tachyzoites were observed only in foci of acute inflammation. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed a greatly diminished frequency of tachyzoites in brains of mice treated with anti-IL-6 MAb. Of interest, treatment with MAb against IL-6 was also associated with reduced numbers of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the brains and with higher serum levels of gamma interferon than in control mice. Paradoxically, the mice treated with anti-IL-6 MAb had higher serum levels of IL-6 as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay than controls. These results revealed the importance of IL-6 in the immunopathogenesis of murine toxoplasmic encephalitis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2773-2778
Number of pages6
JournalInfection and Immunity
Volume62
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Antibody against interleukin-6 reduces inflammation and numbers of cysts in brains of mice with toxoplasmic encephalitis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this