Endogenous interleukin-6 plays a crucial protective role in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome via suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha production

During a Streptococcus pyogenes infection in interleukin-6 (IL-6)-deficient mice, there is elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, muscular necrosis, and death compared with infection of C57BL/6 mice. Anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody treatment decreased mortality and muscular necrosis in the infected IL-6-deficient mice. These results suggest that IL-6 plays a crucial protective role via suppression of TNF-a production in S. pyogenes infection.