Interleukin 1 (IL 1) is a potent enhancer of nonspecific resistance to infection in mice. Since IL1 also induces interleukin 6 (IL6), we tested the hypothesis that IL 6 medi ates the effect of IL1 on nonspecific resistance. In a lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in granulocytopenic mice, in which 80 ng of recombinant human IL la pro tects against death, IL 6 appeared to be much less effective. Dosages of 8 ng, 80 ng and 320 ng IL 6 did not differ from the control, whereas 800 ng had a marginal protective effect (0.05 < p < 0.1). IL1 and IL 6 did not potentiate each other in ani mals treated with suboptimal dosages of both cytokines. Numbers of bacteria cultured from the blood, thigh muscle, liver, spleen, and kidney were similar in animals treated with 800 ng IL 6 and in control animals, arguing against activation of microbicidal mechanisms. The serum concentration profile of IL 6 after an i.p. injection of 80 ng IL1 was similar to that after 80 ng IL 6 i.p. Only minute amounts of IL1 were detected in serum after an i.p. injection of IL 6. Taken these data together, it appears that increased resistance to infection induced by IL1 is not mediated by IL 6.