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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
The Citrobacter rodentium Mouse Model: Studying Pathogen and Host Contributions to Infectious Colitis
Published on: February 19, 2013
Host resistance to primary and secondary Campylobacter jejuni infections in C57Bl/6 mice
Darinka Vucković1, Maja Abram, Marina Bubonja
1Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia. dara@medri.hr
Abstract:
Campylobacter jejuni has been known as a main causative agent of human enterocolitis for more than 30 years. This has prompted the research on defence mechanisms of the host involved. Although the humoral immune response to C. jejuni has been addressed in many studies, relatively little is known about the role of T lymphocytes in campylobacteriosis. The current study was based on in vivo T-cell subsets depletion to evaluate the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in disseminated C. jejuni infection in C57BL/6 mice. Depletion of either CD8+ or CD4+ cells did not change the overall infection kinetics of primary campylobacteriosis. To assess the role of T cells in acquired immunity that develops during primary infection in C57BL/6 mice, in vivo depletions were performed during reinfection. Depletion of CD4+ cells did not have any effect on secondary infection kinetics, whereas depletion of CD8+ cells resulted in secondary liver infection that failed to resolve during the observed period. This study showed that both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells contribute to protection of C57BL/6 mice against C. jejuni. However, the predominant role resides in the CD8+ cell subpopulation. The exact mechanisms by which CD8+ cells operate during the course of campylobacteriosis will be the subject of our further research.
Insights
CD8+ T cells are crucial for resolving Campylobacter jejuni infections, particularly during reinfection. While CD4+ T cells also play a role, CD8+ cells are predominant in host defense against campylobacteriosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Campylobacter jejuni is a primary cause of human enterocolitis.
- Host defense mechanisms against C. jejuni are not fully understood.
- The role of T lymphocytes in campylobacteriosis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in C. jejuni infection.
- To assess T cell involvement in primary and secondary campylobacteriosis.
- To elucidate the contribution of T cell subsets to host immunity against C. jejuni.
Main Methods:
- In vivo depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in C57BL/6 mice.
- Monitoring of infection kinetics during primary and secondary C. jejuni challenge.
- Assessment of T cell-mediated protection against disseminated infection.
Main Results:
- Depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ cells did not alter primary infection dynamics.
- CD4+ T cell depletion had no effect on secondary infection.
- CD8+ T cell depletion led to unresolved secondary liver infection, indicating their critical role.
Conclusions:
- Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contribute to host protection against C. jejuni.
- CD8+ T cells play a predominant role in resolving secondary C. jejuni infections.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms of CD8+ cell function in campylobacteriosis.
