Role of IL-12 in

The present study demonstrates that endogenous production of IL-12 is crucial for survival in Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in mice. Staphylococcal load is enhanced in several organs, because of lack of IL-12. This might be due to decreased production of IFN-γ in IL-12-deficient mice. Although IL-12-deficient mice were exposed to higher staphylococcal load, they demonstrated no increased severity of arthritis as compared with control animals.