Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
11:37
QTL Mapping and CRISPR/Cas9 Editing to Identify a Drug Resistance Gene in Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: June 22, 2017
16.9K
Host immune responses to Toxoplasma gondii
Miwa Sasai1,2, Ariel Pradipta1, Masahiro Yamamoto1,2
1Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
International Immunology
|February 7, 2018
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii infection triggers innate and adaptive immunity, including T cells and Group 1 innate lymphoid cells. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) activates cell-autonomous immunity to control parasite growth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii infects warm-blooded animals, causing toxoplasmosis, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Host immune cells recognize T. gondii components, initiating inflammatory responses.
- Antigen-presenting cells activate T cells, crucial for adaptive immunity against the parasite.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on immunity against Toxoplasma gondii.
- To highlight the roles of innate, adaptive, and cell-autonomous immunity.
- To emphasize the significance of IFN-γ in controlling T. gondii infection.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
- Focuses on immune responses at the cellular and molecular level.
- Examines the interplay between the host and T. gondii.
Main Results:
- Immune sensors detect T. gondii, leading to cytokine and chemokine production.
- T cells and Group 1 innate lymphoid cells produce IFN-γ, crucial for cell-autonomous immunity.
- IFN-γ-inducible effectors suppress T. gondii growth and mediate parasite killing.
Conclusions:
- Innate and adaptive immunity are essential for controlling T. gondii.
- IFN-γ-mediated cell-autonomous immunity plays a critical role in host defense.
- Understanding these immune mechanisms is vital for combating toxoplasmosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
84.2K
Overview
84.2K
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
84.4K
Overview
84.4K
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
9.1K
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
9.1K
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
2.1K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.1K
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
9.5K
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
9.5K
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
7.6K
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
7.6K