title: Development of cellular immune functions in neonatal to weanling mice: relationship to Cryptosporidium parvum infection.
abstract: Lymphocyte phenotypes and cellular immune responses (blastogenesis and production of cytokines) to Cryptosporidium parvum were determined for spleen cells taken from BALB/c mice. These parameters were measured in mice at 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk of age, either exposed or not exposed to C. parvum in vivo. The percentage of T cells and the T-helper subset increased from weeks 2 to 4; B cells reached a peak percentage at 2 wk. Blastogenic responses were elevated at 1 wk and declined to a low level during weeks 2 to 4. Interferon-gamma production was maximal at 4 wk. No interleukin-5 production was seen. Data obtained were similar for cells from mice either exposed or not exposed to C. parvum in vivo. These data indicate that age-related changes, particularly the increased percentage of T cells and increased interferon-gamma production, are temporally related to the acquisition of resistance to colonization of mice with C. parvum. The data also indicate that these age-related changes occur in the absence of specific exposure to parasite antigens.
authors.affiliation: US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, Iowa 50010-0070, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harp
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sacco
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D015848:Interleukin-5; D007371:Interferon-gamma