Modulation of the anti-phosphorylcholine immune response during Trichinella spiralis infections in mice

The nematode Trichinella spiralis is able to modulate the antibody response, as measured by the plaque-forming cell (PFC) technique, to three thymus-dependent (TD) antigens: (1) a heterologous antigen unrelated to the parasite (sheep red blood cells (SRBC]; (2) an antigenic fraction, rich in phosphorylcholine (PC), obtained from T. spiralis (FCp1) and (3) a heterologous antigen unrelated to the parasite, but sharing the PC epitope with the FCp1 fraction (PC-KLH). During the life-cycle of the parasite in BCF1 mice, two opposing immunomodulating activities occur: (1) an immuno-potentiating activity in mice infected during the intestinal and larval migratory stages, for all three antigens, and (2) a carrier-specific immunosuppressive response in mice infected and immunized with the FCp1 fraction during the muscle phase of the life-cycle. The anti-PC PFC response of these mice is dependent on the infection dose and decreases from day 35 post-infection (p.i.) until at least day 85 p.i. The factor responsible for the stimulating effect observed during this stage is the presence of migratory larvae in the host. All the foregoing seems to indicate that T. spiralis can use specific suppression mechanisms to aid in its own survival.