LOCAL EXPRESSION OF CYTOKINE MESSENGER-RNA IN SPLEEN AND PEYERS-PATCHES OF RATS IS INVOLVED IN RESISTANCE AGAINST INFECTION WITH YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA

The immune-response against infection with Yersinia enterocolitica was studied in a rat model which resembles yersiniosis in humans. Lewis, Fischer and Brown Norway rats were inoculated with Y. enterocolitica a nd the cytokine mRNA expression in spleen and Peyer's patches was dete rmined. In Brown Norway rats the infection was mild and Yersinia enter ocolitica was fully cleared, In these rats the highest anti-inflammato ry cytokine expression was found probably resulting in a protective ho st defence against the infection. In both the Lewis and Fischer rats Y . enterocolitica persisted, The anti-inflammatory cytokine expression was less pronounced in these two rat strains. The authors conclude tha t progression of disease, persistence of infection and development of reactive arthritis, may be related to the local expression of specific cytokines. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.