Figure 1.

Neutralizing interleukin (IL)-6 in Il-6r^fl/fl mice reduces weight loss and improves the clinical score in acute dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. (A) Schematic overview of acute DSS-induced colitis as described in Materials and methods. The first injection of neutralizing IL-6 antibody or physiological salt solution was administered at the beginning of colitis (day 0). On days 2, 4, 6 and 8, the injections were repeated. On day 5, DSS-containing water was removed and replaced by autoclaved tap water for another 5 days. On day 10, the mice were anesthetized and analyzed as described in Materials and methods. (B) Weight curve during acute DSS-induced colitis for Il-6r^fl/fl mice injected with physiological salt solution (control) and Il-6r^fl/fl mice injected with neutralizing IL-6 antibody (anti-IL-6). Standard errors were calculated and indicated. Results of the Student’s t-test on day 10 are shown. (C) Clinical score during acute DSS-induced colitis for Il-6r^fl/fl mice injected with physiological salt solution (control) and Il-6r^fl/fl mice injected with neutralizing IL-6 antibody (anti-IL-6). Standard errors were calculated and are shown. Results of Student’s t-test on day 10 are shown.