Effects of interleukin-13 on antifungal activity of human monocytes against Candida albicans

We investigated the effects of human interleukin-13 (IL-13) on human monocy tes' (MNC) activities against Candida albicans, an important human pathogen . Increased phagocytosis of blastoconidia was observed after incubation wit h 50 U ml(-1) of IL-13 for 4 h or 48 h in the presence or absence of serum. The latter effect was inhibited by anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody or manno se. Incubation of MNC with 50 U ml(-1) or IL-13 for 2 h significantly enhan ced superoxide anion production in response to phorbol myristate acetate. I L-13 did not, however, alter the damage caused by MNC to hyphae, whereas it suppressed killing of blastoconidia. IL-13 has variable effects on MNC act ivities and may play an important immunoregulatory role against C albicans. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by El sevier Science BN. All rights reserved.