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Immunosuppression and in vivo T cell function in granulomatous inflammation
A Fujioka1, C Pincelli, A Hashimoto
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Subcutaneous grafts of schistosome egg granulomas activate T cells in mouse lymph nodes, an effect not seen in lab tests. Immunosuppression temporarily blocked this, but further grafting restored T cell activation, highlighting in vivo immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Schistosome egg granulomas elicit significant immune responses.
- Understanding T cell activation in vivo is crucial for immune modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate T cell activation and suppression in response to schistosome egg granulomas in a mouse model.
- To compare in vivo immune responses with in vitro assessments.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous grafting of hepatic schistosome egg granulomas in inbred mice.
- Analysis of cell numbers, T cell subsets, and DNA synthesis in regional lymph nodes and spleen.
- Administration of immunosuppressive therapy (ciclosporin, anti-T cell antibodies) and subsequent grafting.
Main Results:
- Grafts increased T cell numbers, subsets, and DNA synthesis in regional lymph nodes in vivo.
- In vitro tests did not detect this T cell activation.
- Immunosuppression reduced T cell numbers and function, but subsequent grafting reversed these effects, restoring T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- In vivo T cell activation occurs in response to schistosome granulomas, which is not fully captured by in vitro assays.
- In vitro methods may not accurately reflect the complexity of T cell function and regulation in a living organism.
- The study underscores the importance of in vivo models for understanding immune responses to parasitic infections.