Production of interferon by Theileria annulata- and T. parva-infected bovine lymphoid cell lines.
Theileria annulata and T. parva-infected lymphoblastoid cells were examined for their capacity to produce interferon (IFN). Supernatants of such cells were tested in biological assay for their antiviral activity. Only T. parva-infected cells of T-cell origin were capable of producing IFN-gamma. Supernatants of some but not all T. annulata-infected cells showed also antiviral activity, which was greatly reduced after exposure to a pH of 2. Northern-blot analysis of the cells using an IFN-gamma cDNA probe confirmed the results obtained for T. parva-infected cells in a biological assay. No IFN-gamma mRNA was detected in T. annulata-infected cells. The importance of IFN for the pathogenesis of theileriosis is discussed.
Institut für Parasitologie und Tropenveterinärmedizin, FU-Berlin, Germany.
J S
JS
Ahmed
P
P
Wiegers
S
S
Steuber
E
E
Schein
R O
RO
Williams
D
D
Dobbelaere
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016796:Theileria annulata / Q000276:immunology*; D016797:Theileria parva / Q000276:immunology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma