In vitro responses of spleen cells from Trichinella spiralis-infected mice.
The in vitro cellular immune responses of spleen cells from mice infected with Trichinella spiralis and immunized with BCG have been investigated. ICR/CD-1 mice were originally infected with 200 T. spiralis larvae 22 days prior to infection with 4 X 10(6) viable or heat-killed mycobacteria. Analysis of the splenic cell populations indicated that significant increases in adherent cells (macrophages) were noted only in groups previously infected with the nematode; the concentration of non-adherent cells (lymphocytes) did not vary insignificantly among any of the experimental groups. Assay of blast cell transformation and 3H-thymidine incorporation demonstrated the ability of T. spiralis infection to potentiate in vitro cellular immune reactions. These findings support earlier in vivo studies concerning nematode-induced immunopotentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, and provide additional evidence that infection with this nematode enhances the immune capabilities of both stimulated lymphocytes and nonspecific phagocytic cells.
D000818:Animals; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014235:Trichinellosis / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D037102:Lectins; D014373:Tuberculin; D013936:Thymidine