Overexpression of interleukin-15 protects against Escherichia coli-induced shock accompanied by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis.

Interleukin (IL)-15, a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-mediated apoptosis, causes multiple organ failure during endotoxic shock. We investigated the potential role of IL-15 in protection against Escherichia coli-induced shock by using IL-15 transgenic (Tg) mice. These mice were resistant to an otherwise lethal challenge with E. coli, although bacterial burden and serum levels of TNF-alpha were similar in non-Tg mice. Apoptosis in cells of the peritoneal cavity, liver, spleen, or lung was significantly suppressed in IL-15 Tg mice after E. coli infection. Peritoneal cells from naive IL-15 Tg mice were also resistant to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in vitro, and neutralization of endogenous IL-15 significantly aggravated TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Exogenous IL-15 prevented TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in normal mice in vitro and improved the survival rate after E. coli challenge. These results suggest that IL-15 overexpression can prevent TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and protect against E. coli-induced shock, indicating a possible therapeutic application of IL-15 for septic shock.