Transient Neutralization of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Can Produce a Chronic Fungal Infection in an Immunocompetent Host: Potential Role of Immature Dendritic Cells

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying induction of immune dysregulation and chronic fungal infection by a transient tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) deficiency remain to be defined. The objective of our studies was to determine the potential contribution of neutropenia and immature dendritic cells to the immune deviation. Administration of an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody at day 0 neutralized TNF-α only during the first week of a pulmonaryCryptococcus neoformansinfection. Transient neutralization of TNF-α resulted in transient depression of interleukin-12 (IL-12), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production but permanently impaired long-term clearance of the infection from the lungs even after the levels of these cytokines increased and a vigorous inflammatory response developed. Early neutrophil recruitment was defective in the absence of TNF-α. However, as demonstrated by neutrophil depletion studies, this did not account for the decrease in IL-12 and IFN-γ levels and did not play a role in establishing chronic pulmonary cryptococcal infection. Transient TNF-α neutralization also produced a deficiency in CD11c⁺MHC II⁺cells and IL-12 in the lymph nodes, potentially implicating a defect in mature dendritic cell trafficking. Transfer of cryptococcal antigen-pulsed immature dendritic cells into naïve mice prior to intratracheal challenge resulted in the development of a nonprotective immune response toC. neoformansthat was similar to that observed in anti-TNF-α-treated mice (increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 levels, pulmonary eosinophilia, and decreased clearance). Thus, stimulation of an antifungal response by immature dendritic cells can result in an immune deviation similar to that produced by transient TNF-α deficiency, identifying a new mechanism by which a chronic fungal infection can occur in an immunocompetent host.