Depletion of CD8+ T cells suppresses growth of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and interferon-gamma) production in infected rats.
Sprague-Dawley rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei showed a strong and rapid induction of splenocyte IFN-gamma (within 12 h post-infection) as measured by a single cell assay for IFN-gamma secretion. Depletion of CD8+ cells in infected rats abrogated the IFN-gamma production, suppressed parasite growth and increased survival of the animals. Induction of MHC class I antigens in the paraventricular and supra-optic hypothalamic nuclei caused by the trypanosome infection was also inhibited by the CD8+ cell depletion. It is suggested that the CD8+ cells are involved directly or indirectly in growth regulation of the parasite and that IFN-gamma induced by the parasite may be one of the factors that trigger MHC expression and immunosuppression.
Bakhiet
M
M
Department of Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Olsson
T
T
van der Meide
P
P
Kristensson
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000276:immunology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000254:growth & development*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007371:Interferon-gamma