Human macrophages and T-lymphocyte subsets infiltrating nodules of Onchocerca volvulus.
The nature of the lymphoid infiltrate in nodules of Onchocerca volvulus was assessed using monoclonal antibodies to lymphoid cell surface markers. Although B cells were generally absent, T cells were present, but in variable amounts. The ratio of T4+ (helper phenotype) to T8+ (suppressor-cytotoxic phenotype) was usually in the normal peripheral blood range of about 3, although ratios ranging from 1 to 10 were seen in selected areas of the onchocercoma. The possibility of immunosuppression through dominance of T4+, Leu-8+ cells (suppressor-inducer phenotype) within the T4+ population was also excluded. The T cells did not tend to concentrate in close proximity to the parasite, and there was no general bias in favour of the T suppressor cell phenotype (T8) within the infiltrate. Macrophages and dendritic cells were consistently observed and consisted of three defined cell types in approximately equal proportions: normal, unactivated macrophages (HLA-DR-, acid phosphatase positive), activated macrophages (HLA-DR+, acid phosphatase positive) and cells of dendritic morphology (HLA-DR+, acid phosphatase negative). These results are discussed in relation to immune suppression in filariasis.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II