Abstract
The role of interleukin (IL)-11, a cytokine with potent anti- inflammatory properties, in murine Lyme disease was investigated. Borrelia burgdorferi-infected mice treated with IL-11 developed less arthritis than did control animals. In contrast, IL-11 blocking antibodies increased Lyme arthritis. Murine Lyme cardiris was not affected by either IL-11 or IL-11 antibodies. Administration of IL-11 was associated with increased production of mRNA for IL-12 and inducible nitric oxide synthase but not interferon-γ or IL-4 in B. burgdorferi-infected mice, suggesting a predominant effect of IL-11 on the innate immune response. These data show that IL-11 selectively reduced joint but not cardiac inflammation caused by B. burgdorferi in mice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 734-737 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 179 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Immunology