Control of Listeria monocytogenes infection requires classical IL-6 signaling in myeloid cells

IL-6 is required for the response of mice against Listeria monocytogenes. Control of infection depends on classical IL-6 signaling via membrane IL-6R alpha, but IL-6 target cells and protective mechanisms remain unclear. We used mice with IL-6Ra-deficiency in T cells (Il6ra(fl/fl)xCD4(cre)) or myeloid cells (Il6ra(fl/fl)xLysM(cre)) to define the role of these cells in IL-6-mediated protection. Abrogation of IL-6R alpha in T cells did not interfere with bacteria control and induction of T(H)1 and CD8(+) T-cell responses. IL-6R alpha-deficiency in myeloid cells caused significant defects in listeria control. This defect was not associated with reduced recruitment of granulocytes and inflammatory monocytes, and both cell populations were activated and not impaired in cytokine production. However, IL-6R alpha-deficient inflammatory monocytes displayed diminished expression of IL-4R alpha and of CD38, a protein required for phagocytosis and innate control of listeria. In vitro studies revealed that IL-4 and IL-6 cooperated in induction of CD38. In listeria-infected mice, phagocytic activity of inflammatory monocytes correlated with CD38 expression levels on cells and inflammatory monocytes of Il6ra(fl/fl)xLysM(cre) mice were significantly impaired in phagocytosis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that inhibition of classical IL-6 signaling in myeloid cells causes alterations in differentiation and function of these cells, which subsequently prevent effective control of L. monocytogenes.