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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Macrophage Cholesterol Depletion and Its Effect on the Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans
Published on: December 19, 2014
Reduced host resistance and Th1 response to Cryptococcus neoformans in interleukin-18 deficient mice
K Kawakami1, Y Koguchi, M H Qureshi
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan. kawakami@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Abstract:
Using interleukin (IL)-18 deficient (IL-18(-/-)) mice, we examined the role of IL-18 in the host resistance and Th1 response against infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. Fungal clearance in the lung was reduced in IL-18(-/-) mice, although there was no significant change in the level of dissemination to the brain. The DTH response, as determined by footpad swelling, was also diminished in IL-18(-/-) mice compared to control wild-type (WT) mice. The levels of IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the sera were significantly lower in IL-18(-/-) mice than in WT mice. Spleen cells from infected WT mice produced a high level of IFN-gamma upon stimulation with the microbe, while only a low level of IFN-gamma production was detected in spleen cells from infected IL-18(-/-) mice. Administration of IL-18 almost completely restored the reduced response in IL-18(-/-) mice, while IL-12 showed a marginal effect. These results demonstrated the important role of IL-18 in the resistance and Th1 response of mice to C. neoformans by potentiating the production of IFN-gamma.
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