Hemolysin-producing Listeria monocytogenes affects the immune response to T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent antigens.
A murine experimental infection with a hemolysin-producing (Hly+) strain of Listeria monocytogenes and a non-hemolysin-producing (Hly-) mutant was used as an in vivo model to evaluate the role of hemolysin production in the immune response. No antilisterial antibodies were detectable following sublethal infection with Hly+ bacteria, but consistent antilisterial immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibody production was observed following sublethal infection with the Hly- mutant. Hly+ but not Hly- L. monocytogenes induced transient inhibition of antibody response to Hly- bacteria and to unrelated T-cell-dependent (tetanus toxoid) and T-cell-independent (pneumococcal polysaccharide 3) antigens. Transient inhibition of the activation of an antigen-specific T-cell clone was also observed following Hly+ infection of antigen-presenting cells but not following Hly- infection. These results suggest that hemolysin production by L. monocytogenes is an important factor in modulating the immune response to T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent antigens in infected individuals.
Hage-Chahine
C M
CM
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland.
Del Giudice
G
G
Lambert
P H
PH
Pechere
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; C026604:pneumococcal polysaccharide, type III