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Candida albicans-specific Ly-2+ lymphocytes with cytolytic activity
1Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy.
European Journal of Immunology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Experimental Candida albicans infection generates antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These immune cells, particularly Ly-2+ T cells, demonstrate major histocompatibility complex-restricted and unrestricted lysis of infected macrophages.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Experimental Candida albicans infection is a model for studying host immune responses.
- Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a crucial role in controlling fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes during experimental Candida albicans infection.
- To characterize the phenotype and function of cytotoxic cells generated in response to C. albicans.
Main Methods:
- Culture of purified L3T4+ and Ly-2+ lymphocytes with C. albicans antigen and interleukin-2.
- Use of yeast-infected bone marrow macrophages as target cells in a 51Cr-release assay.
- Flow cytometry analysis to determine cell surface markers (Thy-1, CD3, L3T4, Ly-2, T cell receptor alpha/beta).
Main Results:
- Freshly isolated lymphocytes showed no cytotoxic activity against infected macrophages.
- Immune Ly-2+ cells cultured for 7-10 days exhibited antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted lysis of infected macrophages.
- Cultured cells were predominantly Thy-1+, CD3+, Ly-2+ T cells, with enhanced activity upon anti-CD3 antibody addition.
- At limiting effector cell numbers, antigen-specific MHC-restricted lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity were identified.
Conclusions:
- Candida albicans infection stimulates the generation of multiple cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors.
- These precursors exhibit varying recognition stringency, including MHC class I-restricted, antigen-specific CTLs.
- The study highlights the complexity of T cell-mediated immunity against C. albicans.
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