Higher expression levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1B, IL-6, and IL-23A were detected in LMW-HA-treated DCs after bacterial infection, as compared with non-treated DCs.
Dendritic cells produce IL-12 and IL-23 in response to viral and bacterial infection and these cytokines are responsible for successful pathogen clearance.
IL-23/Th17 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the cell-mediated immune response against bacterial infections and also in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The majority of the up-regulated cytokines are involved in the IL-23/IL-17 cytokine-regulated network, which is crucial for host defense against bacterial infection.
Collectively, our data establish that IL-23 is required for the optimal recruitment of TNF-α- and NO(•)-producing inflammatory monocytes, thus revealing a novel mechanism by which this proinflammatory cytokine provides protection against bacterial infection.
Since IL-23 enhances T cell-derived IL-17 during bacterial infections, we then assessed the role of IL-23 in controlling IL-17 expression in Hp-colonized stomach.