title: Interleukin 2 production in patients with Chagas' disease: correlation with anti-parasite antibody responses.
abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from chronic chagasic patients and control individuals in Recife, Brazil were examined for the ability to produce IL-2 in response to concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Overall, there was little difference in the range of the response (IL-2 production) between the chagasic and control groups. Within the chagasic group, however, there was a high negative correlation between IL-2 production and the level of anti-parasite antibody. This correlation is thought to be a reflection of the fact that individuals with more recent or more vigorous infections exhibit higher anti-parasite antibody responses but also display a greater degree of immunosuppression, as reflected in depressed IL-2 production.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007376:Interleukin-2; D003208:Concanavalin A