Genetic influences upon eosinophilia and resistance in mice infected with Mesocestoides corti.
The genetic influences upon host variation in eosinophilia and resistance to helminth infection, and the relationship between these parameters, was investigated in 9 inbred and 3 hybrid strains of mice infected with Mesocestoides corti. Blood, bone marrow, spleen and peritoneal fluid eosinophilia were far higher in SJL mice than in any other inbred strain. SWR, NIH, C3H and BALB/c mice were high responders to M. corti whereas CBA and 3 congenic strains sharing the B10 background (C57BL/10, B10.S, B10.G) were low responders. Some of the genes for high eosinophil responsiveness appeared to be dominant, as F1 hybrids from high and low response parental strains were intermediate to high in response to infection. SJL and NIH strains were highly susceptible to infection with M. corti, larval burdens at 21 days after infection with 100 tetrathyridia being considerably higher (greater than 1000) than all other strains. BALB/c (congruent to 700 larvae) were designated susceptible, SWR (greater than 400 larvae) were resistant and the B10 congenics (less than 400 larvae) were highly resistant. Genes influencing resistance also appeared to be dominant, as F1 hybrids between resistant and susceptible parental strains were intermediate to resistant on infection. The overall response patterns indicate a direct correlation between susceptibility to infection and high eosinophil responsiveness, but this relationship is not consistent in all strains.
Lammas
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Department of Zoology, University of Nottingham, University Park.
Mitchell
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Wakelin
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D000818:Animals; D002590:Cestode Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D007110:Immunity, Active / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008645:Mesocestoides; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000469:parasitology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology