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Impaired Kupffer cells in highly susceptible mice infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Meiqing Shi1, Guojian Wei, Wanling Pan

  • 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada.

Infection and Immunity
|November 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

In Trypanosoma congolense infected mice, Kupffer cell size increases significantly, and apoptosis occurs, suggesting macrophage impairment hinders parasite elimination.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Parasitology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Trypanosoma congolense infection causes significant pathology in susceptible hosts.
  • Kupffer cells are crucial resident macrophages in the liver involved in pathogen clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic changes in Kupffer cells during Trypanosoma congolense infection in BALB/c mice.
  • To understand the role of Kupffer cell alterations in the host's ability to eliminate the parasite.

Main Methods:

  • BALB/c mice were infected with Trypanosoma congolense.
  • Kupffer cell number, size, and apoptosis were assessed at the terminal stage of infection.

Main Results:

  • Kupffer cell number remained constant, but mean cell size increased fivefold.
  • Approximately 25% of Kupffer cells underwent apoptosis during infection.

Conclusions:

  • Kupffer cell hypertrophy and apoptosis suggest a functional impairment of the liver macrophage system.
  • This impairment may contribute to the inefficient elimination of Trypanosoma congolense, exacerbating the infection.

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