Tumor necrosis factor and gamma interferon in murine candidiasis

The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and gamma interferon (γINF) in host defense against systemic Candida albicans infection was evaluated in a murine candidiasis. Administration of anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody shortened survival of mice inoculated with C. albicans intravenously, suggesting that endogenous TNFα plays a protective role in host resistence to Candida albicans infection. With this regimen, colony counts of left kidney were significantly higher in anti-TNFα MoAb recipients. In contrast, injection of anti-αINF MoAb did not accelerated death of mice with systemic candidiasis. Thus, endogenous TNFα and γINF play different roles in C. albicans infection.