IFN-gamma IL-2, and IL-4 mRNA expression in the skin and draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice repeatedly infested with nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks.
The skin and draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice were examined for IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4 mRNA expression by in situ hybridization in three successive infestations with nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks. IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA positive cells were readily detected in lymph node sections during primary antigenic stimulation (72 hr post-tick attachment), whereas hybridization with IL-4 probe yielded no or only a faint positive signal. No changes in the cytokine pattern were observed in lymph node sections from reinfested mice, with IL-4 mRNA always being expressed to a lesser extent than IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA. Seventy-two hours post-tick attachment in primary infestation, some infiltrating cells in the skin were positive for IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA, but not for IL-2 mRNA. In skin sections of reinfested mice, mRNA coding for IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4 were detected in infiltrating cells. Cells positive for IL-4 mRNA were lower in number than those positive for IFN-gamma and IL-1 mRNA. A significant decrease in the number of IL-4 mRNA positive cells in the tertiary infestation was noted. All together, these results indicate that I. ricinus nymphal ticks antigens are able to elicit expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2 mRNA and to a lesser extent IL-4 mRNA in both skin and draining lymph nodes. In addition, repeated infestations with ticks led to strong expression of IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNAs in the skin that may be correlated with previous observations showing the occurrence of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity in tick-infested mice. Notably, the cytokine pattern observed in the skin and draining lymph nodes is not associated with a protective immune response in mice against I. ricinus nymphal ticks infestations.
Mbow
M L
ML
Institute of Zoology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Rutti
B
B
Brossard
M
M
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009758:Nymph; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000276:immunology*; D013987:Ticks / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma