Immunocytochemical detection of cytokines in the lymph nodes and brains of mice resistant or susceptible to toxoplasmic encephalitis.
BALB/c mice develop toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) but the pathology resolves; in contrast, CBA/Ca mice develop progressive TE. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed peak staining for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in lymph nodes of both strains on day 7 of infection, with elevated levels of IFN-gamma and TNF persisting in CBA/Ca mice. TNF was present in the central nervous systems (CNS) of both strains of mice and correlated with severity of pathology. Interleukin (IL)-2 was detected in lymph nodes and CNS of CBA/Ca mice after day 52 of infection and only in the lymph nodes of BALB/c mice between days 14 and 21 after infection. Highest levels of IL-10 were observed in lymph nodes and CNS of infected CBA/Ca mice. Variations in cytokine levels in lymph nodes and CNS of these mouse strains may account for differences in their susceptibility to TE.
Hunter
C A
CA
Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine.
Litton
M J
MJ
Remington
J S
JS
Abrams
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D013045:Species Specificity; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma