but potentiates microbial-induced signalling and cytokine secretion

Alternatively activated macrophages play an important role in host defense in the context of a T helper type 2 (Th2) micro-environment such as parasitic infection. However, the role of these macrophages during secondary challenge with Th1 pathogens is poorly defined. In this study, thioglycollate-elicited mouse peri-toneal macrophages were treated with interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-13 in vitro and challenged with Neisseria meningitidis