Mice lacking the gamma interferon receptor have an impaired granulomatous reaction to Schistosoma mansoni infection.
The egg-induced granulomatous reaction in Schistosoma mansoni-infected individuals develops within the portal system of the liver and is the major pathological finding in schistosomiasis. We have infected mice lacking the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) receptor with S. mansoni larvae and studied the development of hepatic granulomas in these mutant mice in comparison to that in control wild-type mice. In the absence of IFN-gamma activity, a dramatic reduction in the size and architecture of the granuloma was observed. Granulomas from mutant mice were smaller than those from the control group and showed a significant reduction in the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells. Moreover, they appear to prematurely progress to the chronic phase of the reaction at a time when the control group still has acute inflammation. Our data suggests a pivotal role for IFN-gamma in the early events of the granulomatous reaction in vivo.
Rezende
S A
SA
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Oliveira
V R
VR
Silva
A M
AM
Alves
J B
JB
Goes
A M
AM
Reis
L F
LF
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000502:physiology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor