Synergistic effect of IL-12 and Il-18 in inducing fungicidal activity of murine peritoneal exudate cells against cryptococcus neoformans through production of IFN- #gamma# by NK cells

摘要

Host defense to infection with Cryptococcus neoformans is mediated by cellular immunity, in which mechanism Thl cytokines such as interferon (IFN)- #gamma# play a central role. In recent studies, two different IFN- #gamma# -inducing cytokines, Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18, have been identified and found to be involved in the differentiation of Thl cells. In the present study, we examined the ability of Il-12 and IL-18 to induce the production of IFN- #gamma# and nitric oxide (NO) by murine peritonelal exudate cells (PFC) and to stimulate the growth inhibitory activity of these cells against C. neoformans.