IL-4 and IL-13 downregulate rolling adhesion of leukocytes to IL-1 or TNF-alpha-activated endothelial cells by limiting the interval of E-selectin expression.

Leukocyte extravasation is governed by the endothelium, expressing a defined pattern of adhesion molecules in response to inflammatory stimuli. Among them, E-selectin, which is expressed in response to interleukin 1 (IL-1) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), provides rolling adhesion of the circulating leukocytes, a transient and reversible interaction that initiates leukocyte extravasation. In our experiments, E-selectin expression culminated after 4 to 6 h and declined thereafter.

Interferon gamma receptor deficient mice are resistant to endotoxic shock.

Antibody neutralization studies have established interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) as a critical mediator of endotoxic shock. The advent of IFN-gamma receptor negative (IFN gamma R-/-) mutant mice has enabled a more direct assessment of the role of IFN-gamma in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-induced shock. We report that IFN gamma R-/- mice have an increased resistance to LPS-induced toxicity, this resistance manifesting well before the synthesis and release of LPS-induced IFN-gamma.