Effects of administration of murine recombinant IL-4 on the resistance of mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Mice given recombinant murine interleukin-4 as a single i.v. bolus concomitant with a Listeria monocytogenes challenge did not display increased anti-listeria resistance. Under certain conditions, IL-4 administration slightly increased the bacterial burdens in the spleens and livers of infected mice. This finding is consistent with previous reports that endogenous IL-4, or transfer of IL-4 producing TH2 cells, can be detrimental to host defense against microbial infection.