Interleukin-13 promotes susceptibility to chlamydial infection of the respiratory and genital tracts.

ABSTRACT: Chlamydiae are intracellular bacteria that commonly cause infections of the respiratory and genital tracts, which are major clinical problems. Infections are also linked to the aetiology of diseases such as asthma, emphysema and heart disease. The clinical management of infection is problematic and antibiotic resistance is emerging. Increased understanding of immune processes that are involved in both clearance and immunopathology of chlamydial infection is critical for the development of improved treatment strategies. Here, we show that IL-13 was produced in the lungs of mice rapidly after Chlamydia muridarum (Cmu) infection and promoted susceptibility to infection. Wild-type (WT) mice had increased disease severity, bacterial load and associated inflammation compared to IL-13 deficient (

SUBMITTER: Asquith KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3088704 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature