Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
12:59

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 27, 2013

33.7K

Immunoregulation in onchocerciasis. Functional and phenotypic abnormalities of lymphocyte subsets and changes with

D O Freedman1, A Lujan-Trangay, C Steel

  • 1Clinical Parasitology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|July 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Onchocerciasis infection alters immune cell populations, specifically increasing activated CD4+ T cells. Ivermectin treatment partially reverses these defects, but parasite-specific immune tolerance persists.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Parasitology
  • Tropical Medicine

Background:

  • Onchocerciasis, caused by Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected tropical disease associated with significant immunoregulatory defects.
  • Understanding these immune alterations is crucial for developing effective treatment and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the immunoregulatory defects in patients with onchocerciasis.
  • To assess the impact of ivermectin treatment on these immune defects.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ cells) and activation markers (HLA-DR).
  • Functional assays measured mitogen- and parasite antigen-induced lymphokine production (IL-2, IL-4).
  • Analyses were conducted on microfilariae-positive individuals and controls, with follow-up after ivermectin treatment.

Main Results:

  • Onchocerciasis patients showed increased CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes and HLA-DR coexpression on CD4+ cells compared to controls.
  • Ivermectin treatment led to increased CD4+CD45RA- cells, CD4+HLA-DR+ cells, and general lymphokine production.
  • Parasite-specific IL-2 and IL-4 production remained undetectable even after 2 years of treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Onchocerciasis is associated with distinct immunoregulatory defects, including increased activated CD4+ T cells.
  • Ivermectin treatment partially restores immune function but does not overcome parasite antigen-specific tolerance.
  • Immune defects in onchocerciasis may involve multiple points in the T-cell activation pathway, leading to persistent tolerance.

More Related Videos

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

9.5K
Functional Characterization of Regulatory Macrophages That Inhibit Graft-reactive Immunity08:41

Functional Characterization of Regulatory Macrophages That Inhibit Graft-reactive Immunity

Published on: June 7, 2017

7.5K

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
3.5K
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
5.4K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
3.2K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

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...
7.1K
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
3.8K