Abstract
A pregnancy-related therapeutic effect in an animal model of Lyme disease provides new evidence supporting the role of Th2 cytokines in alleviation of arthritic manifestations of infection. To reach this conclusion, [M. Moro et al. (2001) J. Immunol. 166, 7404–7409] followed the progression of arthritis in C3H mice infected with the agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. Non-pregnant mice consistently developed severe Lyme arthritis following infection. In contrast, pregnant mice had a significant reduction in arthritis severity associated with markedly increased levels of the Th2 cytokine IL-4. A slight reduction in T- cell production of the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ was also noted. The alleviation of symptoms and enhanced Th2 cytokine production apparently resulted from the elevation of systemic progesterone levels during pregnancy. SHK
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
