EXPRESSION OF TGF-BETA IN ATTENUATED SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM - ORAL-ADMINISTRATION LEADS TO THE REDUCTION OF INFLAMMATION, IL-2 AND IFN-GAMMA, BUT ENHANCEMENT OF IL-10, IN CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED EDEMA IN MICE

Mice injected with carrageenin in the footpad developed local inflamma tion which peaked at 48 hr. This was significantly reduced in mice ino culated orally with an attenuated Salmonella construct expressing tran sforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Administration of the Salmonel la construct alone had no effect on inflammation. High levels of inter leukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were secreted by drai ning lymph node cells from mice injected with carrageenin following st imulation in vitro. Prior inoculation with Salmonella enhanced the pro duction of IL-2 and IFN-gamma from the draining lymph node cells. Admi nistration of the Salmonella-TGF-beta construct significantly inhibite d the production of these cytokines. In contrast, IL-10 only was secre ted from draining lymph node cells of animals inoculated with the Salm onella-TGF-beta construct. Thus, oral administration of TGF-beta can s ignificantly inhibit local inflammation and alter the cytokine secreti on pattern of cells from lymph nodes draining the site of inflammation .