Major Injury Leads to Predominance of the T Helper-2 Lymphocyte Phenotype and Diminished Interleukin-12 Production Associated with Decreased Resistance to Infection

Abstract

Serious injury induced diminished production of IL-1 2 and a shift to the Th-2 phenotype with increased production of IL-4 and IL-10, cytokines known to inhibit Th-1 function. The ability of exogenous IL-12 to restore Th-1 cytokine production and resistance to infection suggests a therapeutic role for IL-12 in the immune dysfunction seen after major injury.