title: Mice lacking the gamma interferon receptor have an impaired granulomatous reaction to Schistosoma mansoni infection.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rezende
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goes
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor