Cellular and cytokine correlates of mucosal protection in murine model of oral candidiasis.
Host protection against Candida albicans infection in a model of oral candidiasis involving infection-prone [DBA/2 (H-2(d))] and less infection-prone [BALB/c (H-2(d))] mouse strains was analyzed in terms of antibody and cellular responses, and in terms of cytokine patterns from regional lymph node cells. There was a selective expansion of gamma/delta(+) T-cell receptor cells, which correlated with the patterns of colonization in both mouse strains, with higher numbers of gamma/delta T cells detected in BALB/c mice. Antigen-induced T-cell proliferation was significantly higher in BALB/c mice than in DBA/2 mice. Higher levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and salivary IgA antibodies were detected in BALB/c mice than in DBA/2 mice, but only after the infection was cleared. The cervical lymph node cells from infected mice were assessed for interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-12, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA gene expression by reverse transcription-PCR and protein production in the culture supernatants following restimulation in vitro. In BALB/c mice, an early increase in levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 correlated with rapid elimination of C. albicans. In DBA/2 mice, where resolution of infection was delayed, IL-4 message expression was delayed and the IL-4 secretion level was lower. Neutralization of IL-4 by multiple injections of an anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody in BALB/c mice resulted in increased carriage rate and delayed clearance of the yeasts. Collectively, the data suggest that the T-cell response to C. albicans in the regional lymph nodes which correlates best with rapid oral clearance of C. albicans is a balanced Th0 cytokine response involving early secretion of both IFN-gamma and IL-4.
Elahi
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S
Discipline of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2300, Australia.
Pang
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G
Clancy
R
R
Ashman
R B
RB
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D016207:Cytokines; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta