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. 1997 Jun;65(6):2448–2450. doi: 10.1128/iai.65.6.2448-2450.1997

Efficient immunity against Leishmania major in the absence of interleukin-6.

N H Moskowitz 1, D R Brown 1, S L Reiner 1
PMCID: PMC175340  PMID: 9169788

Abstract

Mice genetically deficient in the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) exhibit immunodeficiency against viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. When challenged with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major, IL-6-deficient mice controlled infection and mounted strong Th1 responses as efficiently as IL-6-sufficient littermates. Thus, the successful activation of parasitized macrophages and class II-restricted T cells does not require a full inflammatory repertoire.

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Selected References

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