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Published on: May 24, 2011
The systemic immune response of BALB/c mice infected with larval Taenia crassiceps is a mixed Th1/Th2-type response
S A Toenjes1, R J Spolski, K A Mooney
1Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA.
Insights
Investigating experimental cysticercosis in mice, this study reveals distinct immune cell populations and cytokine profiles at the infection site and systemically. The findings highlight a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response during Taenia crassiceps infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The immune mechanisms governing experimental cysticercosis, specifically the roles of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines at the infection site, remain unclear.
- Understanding these localized and systemic immune responses is crucial for developing effective treatments for Taenia crassiceps infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify lymphocyte subsets and measure cytokine production at the site of infection (PECs) in experimental cysticercosis over 50 days.
- To compare the cytokine profiles of PECs and spleen cells to understand localized versus systemic immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte populations (B220, CD5, TCR subtypes, CD4, CD8) in PECs.
- Cytokine levels (IL-10, IFN-gamma, IL-4) in PECs and serum were measured following stimulation with larval antigens and ConA.
- Spleen cells and PECs from infected BALB/c mice were compared for cytokine production.
Main Results:
- An initial expansion of B220+CD5+, B220+CD5-, alpha beta TCR+CD4+, and CD8+ cells was observed, coinciding with increased IL-10 production.
- CD8+ T cells and gamma delta TCR+ cells increased throughout infection, while IL-10 production decreased after an initial rise.
- PECs produced increased IFN-gamma and IL-4 upon stimulation, contrasting with spleen cells that showed higher IL-10 production late in infection. Serum IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels significantly increased.
Conclusions:
- Distinct lymphoid populations in PECs and spleen produce different cytokines, suggesting compartmentalized immune responses in experimental cysticercosis.
- The systemic immune response in BALB/c mice during this infection is characterized by a mixed Th1/Th2-type cytokine profile.
- These findings provide insights into the complex immune dynamics of cysticercosis, crucial for future therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
The subsets of lymphocytes and cytokines regulating the site-specific immune response in experimental cysticercosis (Taenia crassiceps) are not known. This study investigated the cells present at the site of infection (PECs) using flow cytometry and measured the cytokines produced by these cells through 50 days of infection. The results showed an expansion of B220+CD5+, B220+CD5-, alpha beta TCR+CD4+ and CD8+ cells coincident with a transient increase in IL-10 production. After the initial increase, the percentage of B220+CD5- and helper T cells decreased with a concomitant decrease in IL-10 production. CD8+ T cells continued to increase throughout infection and gamma delta TCR+ cells increased after 10 days of infection. PECs demonstrated an increased IFN-gamma and IL-4 production throughout infection when stimulated with larval antigens. Because a Th2-type polarization has been shown for spleen cells from infected BALB/c mice, cytokine profiles of spleen cells and PECs in response to ConA and larval antigens were compared. ConA and antigen-specific stimulation of spleen cells from 50-day-infected mice produced increased amounts of IL-10 while PECs showed a decreased IL-10 production suggesting that anatomically distinct lymphoid populations produce different cytokines and promote different types of responses. Surprisingly, late in infection the levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in serum increased substantially (460-fold and 100-fold, respectively). The systemic immune response of BALB/c mice during experimental cysticercosis, therefore, is a mixed Th1/Th2-type response.
