Immune Overreaction (IMAGE) Washington University School of Medicine Caption In mice, an immune system overreaction to a urinary tract infection can leave the lining of the bladder pocked with clumps of inflammatory immune cells (in this image, the dark clump on the upper left). Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis showed that this can shift the balance in the bladder from a protective immune response that helps prevent infection to a damaging immune response that makes mice more vulnerable to recurrent infections. Credit Thomas Hannan Usage Restrictions Embargoed until Aug. 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. ET. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.