IFN-β mediates suppression of IL-12p40 in human dendritic cells following infection with virulent Francisella tularensis.

ABSTRACT: Active suppression of inflammation is a strategy used by many viral and bacterial pathogens, including virulent strains of the bacterium Francisella tularensis, to enable colonization and infection in susceptible hosts. In this study, we demonstrated that virulent F. tularensis strain SchuS4 selectively inhibits production of IL-12p40 in primary human cells via induction of IFN-β. In contrast to the attenuated live vaccine strain, infection of human dendritic cells with virulent SchuS4 failed to induce production of many cytokines associated with inflammation (e.g., TNF-α and IL-12p40). Furthermore, SchuS4 actively suppressed secretion of these cytokines. Assessment of changes in the expression of host genes associated with suppression of inflammatory responses revealed that SchuS4, but no

SUBMITTER: Bauler TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3150225 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature