Afferent phase production of TNF-alpha is required for the development of protective T cell immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans

The development of T cell immunity is required to clear a pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection (via the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells). The objective of our studies was to determine whether TNF-alpha is required during the afferent phase of the response. The levels of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein in the lungs increased following intratracheal inoculation of CBA/J mice with C. neoformans 52 and preceded the development of an inflammatory response in the lungs. Administration of neutralizing TNF-alpha-specific antiserum on days 0, 3, 6, and 9 reduced inflammatory cell recruitment by 80% on day 13, resulting in a 3-fold increase in lung C. neoformans CFU. The number of CD4+ T cells was decreased by 65%, the number of neutrophils was decreased by 84%, and the number of macrophages was decreased by >98%. Strikingly, a single dose of neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha serum was sufficient to prevent the development of protective cell-mediated immunity on day 35 if administered on day 0, but was ineffective if delayed until day 14. Day 0 anti-TNF-alpha-treated mice could not generate cryptococcus-specific delayed type hypersensitivity reactivity, clear the infection from their lungs (10(4)-fold increase in CFU), control dissemination to the spleen and brain (10(5)- and 10(6)-fold increases in CFU), or adoptively transfer cryptococcus-specific immunity (mononuclear cell recruitment into the lungs following intratracheal challenge or footpad delayed type hypersensitivity). Thus, the production of TNF-alpha during the afferent phase of the immune response against a pulmonary C. neoformans infection (before day 14) is critical for the development of protective T cell immunity in both the lungs and extrapulmonary sites.