Lethal granuloma disintegration in mycobacteria-infected TNFRp55(-/-) mice is dependent on T cells and IL-12

Genetically susceptible, TNFRp55 gene-deficient (TNFRp55(-/-)) mice succumb to infection with Mycobacterium avium. Before their death, M. avium- infected TNFRp55(-/-) mice develop granulomatous lesions that, in contrast to granulomas in wild-type syngeneic mice, undergo acute disintegration. To determine the factors involved in these events, we depleted T cell subsets or neutralized the inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, or TNF in TNFRp55(-/-) mice infected i.v. with M. avium. Infected TNFRp55(-/-) mice treated with a control mAb became moribund between days 26 and 34 postinfection, showing widespread inflammatory cell apoptosis within disintegrating granulomas. In contrast, TNFRp55(-/-) mice depleted of either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ cells after granuloma initiation stayed healthy until at least day 38 postinfection and showed no signs of granuloma destruction. Neutralization of IL-12, but not of IFN-γ or TNF, also protected M. avium-infected TNFRp55(-/-) mice from granuloma decomposition and from premature death. Treatment with dexamethasone or with a specific inhibitor of inducible NO synthase did not prevent granuloma dissolution or death of TNFRp55(-/-) mice. In conclusion, granuloma disintegration in TNFRp55(-/-) mice is a lethal event that is dependent on IL-12 and that is mediated by an excess of T cells.