CXC chemokine receptor 2 contributes to host defense in murine urinary tract infection

CXC chemokines have been implicated in the recruitment of neutrophils to si tes of infection. To determine the role of CXC chemokines in the host respo nse to urinary tract infection (UTI), female mice were treated with an anti body against the major CXC chemokine receptor in the mouse, CXCR2, before i ntravesical inoculation with Escherichia coli. Anti-CXCR2 prevented the inf lux of neutrophils in urine and kidneys. The absence of a neutrophil respon se only temporarily impaired the clearance of bacteria from the urinary tra ct, as indicated by 100- and 1000-fold more E. coli colony-forming units in urine and kidneys of anti-CXCR2-treated mice at 24 h, but not at 48 h, aft er the infection. UTI induced increases in the renal concentrations of the CXCR2 ligands macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and KC, which were not infl uenced by anti-CXCR2 administration. CXC chemokines play an important role in the development of a local inflammatory response to UTI.