NEITHER INTERLEUKIN-6 NOR INDUCIBLE NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE IS REQUIREDFOR CLEARANCE OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS FROM THE MURINE GENITAL-TRACT EPITHELIUM

Female mice bearing targeted mutations in the interleukin-6 or inducib le nitric oxide synthase locus mounted effective immune responses foll owing vaginal infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydial clearan ce rates, local Th1 cytokine production, and host antibody responses w ere similar to those of immunocompetent control mice. Therefore, neith er gene product appears to be critical for the resolution of chlamydia l infections of the urogenital epithelium.