Role of nonspecific cytotoxic cells in intestinal epithelial cell injury in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection.
We have employed a cultured crypt-like intestinal epithelial rat cell line (IEC-18) to assess whether killing by nonspecific cytotoxic cells contributes to epithelial cell destruction in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (N.b.) infection. Spleen cells from N.b.-infected Sprague-Dawley rats, 11-13 days postinfection when villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia were evident, killed IEC-18 in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay. In contrast, intraepithelial leukocytes (IEL) from N.b.-infected rats showed decreased killing of IEC-18 compared to controls in a 16-hr assay. Spleen NK activity was increased in N.b.-infected rats whereas IEL NK activity was decreased. We conclude that direct cytotoxicity of crypt-like intestinal epithelial cells by nonspecific cytotoxic cells appears to play no significant role in intestinal injury in N.b. infection.
Hanglow
A C
AC
Intestinal Disease Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Perdue
M H
MH
Dyck
N
N
Bienenstock
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D009559:Nippostrongylus; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains