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A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
A protective role for IL-6 in staphylococcal microbial keratitis
Emma B H Hume1, Nerida Cole, Linda L Garthwaite
1The School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia. e.hume@ier.org.au
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|October 27, 2006
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protects against Staphylococcus aureus keratitis by reducing bacterial load and inflammation. Supplementing IL-6 may offer a therapeutic strategy for ocular infections.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus keratitis is a serious ocular infection.
- The role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in host defense against S. aureus keratitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective role of IL-6 in S. aureus keratitis using a gene knockout (gko) mouse model.
- To evaluate IL-6 as a potential therapy for modulating host responses and controlling bacterial infection, thereby reducing corneal scarring.
Main Methods:
- Eyes of IL-6 gko and wild-type mice were infected with S. aureus.
- Clinical and histological examinations of keratitis were performed at 24 hours post-infection.
- Bacterial counts, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), cytokine, and chemokine levels were quantified. Exogenous IL-6 was administered to assess therapeutic effects.
Main Results:
- IL-6 gko mice exhibited more severe keratitis with higher bacterial loads and increased PMN infiltration compared to wild-type mice.
- Significant alterations in chemokine and cytokine profiles were observed in IL-6 gko mice.
- Administration of exogenous IL-6 improved outcomes in IL-6 gko mice, leading to a threefold reduction in bacterial load.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 plays a crucial regulatory role in controlling excessive inflammation and bacterial proliferation during S. aureus keratitis.
- IL-6 may be involved in priming and activating neutrophils, enhancing the host immune response.
- IL-6 holds potential as a broad-spectrum therapeutic agent to improve outcomes in patients with sight-threatening ocular infections.
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