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Characterization of a cell population which amplifies the anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity response.
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190.
Infection and Immunity
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers identified T-helper amplifier (Tamp) cells that boost cell-mediated immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans. These short-lived cells amplify delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses but are not long-lived memory cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cell-mediated immunity is crucial for controlling Cryptococcus neoformans infections.
- Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is a key indicator of this immunity.
- Previous work identified cells that amplify DTH responses to cryptococcal antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the surface and functional properties of these amplifier cells.
- To determine if amplifier cells are analogous to long-lived memory cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunization of mice with Cryptococcus neoformans culture filtrate antigen.
- Treatment of donor mice with cyclosporin A to differentiate cell types.
- Cell transfer experiments to assess DTH response amplification.
- Analysis of amplifier cell surface markers (CD4, L3T4+, Lyt-2-) and lifespan.
Main Results:
- Amplifier cells are antigen-specific, CD4+ T lymphocytes.
- These cells appear 5 days post-immunization.
- Amplifier cells are short-lived, present at 14 but not 18 days post-immunization.
- The amplified DTH response lacks characteristics of a typical secondary immune response.
Conclusions:
- Amplifier T (Tamp) cells are not long-lived memory cells.
- Tamp cells likely function as T-helper cells to amplify anticryptococcal DTH responses.
- This finding offers insights into the regulation of cell-mediated immunity against fungal pathogens.