A Mutation in IL4RA Is Associated with the Degree of Pathology in Human TB Patients

Figure 3

Collagen deposition around centrally necrotizing granulomas is abolished in mice by genetic ablation of the IL-4Rα. BALB/c, , and IL-4Rα^−/− mice were infected with 100 CFU Mtb H37Rv per aerosol and lung sections stained with trichrome were histologically evaluated after 113 days (-5). Whereas BALB/c mice did not develop necrotic lesions, central granuloma necrosis was found in lungs of mice surrounded by a fibrous rim. Deletion of the IL-4Rα abolished granuloma necrosis and collagen deposition in mice. Representative photomicrographs of one experiment out of two performed are shown.