Endogenous Interleukin-6 Plays a Crucial Protective Role in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome via Suppression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production

Abstract

During a Streptococcus pyogenes infection in interleukin-6 (IL-6)-deficient mice, there is elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, muscular necrosis, and death compared with infection of C57BL/6 mice. Anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody treatment decreased mortality and muscular necrosis in the infected IL-6-deficient mice. These results suggest that IL-6 plays a crucial protective role via suppression of TNF-alpha production in S. pyogenes infection.