title: Modulatory effects of calf thymus extract on the subset of T lymphocytes in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice.
abstract: The immunotropic properties of calf thymus extract (TFX-Jelfa) is connected with the mimic action of the thymus to modulate the differentiation, maturation and function of prothymocytes and mature thymus dependent (T) cells. The studies were carried out on CFW male mice aged 3 months. The animals were infected per os with 200 larvae of Trichinella spiralis. TFX-Jelfa was administered i.p. at a dose of 10 mg/kg seven times at 24 hour intervals prior to infection. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ in suspension of splenocytes and mesenteric lymphonode cells by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (PE) were determined. At the same time, cryostat preparations, made from jejunum and muscle samples, were examined by the direct immunofluorescence method using FITC-labeled antibody to mouse CD4+ and CD8+. It has been found that infection with T. spiralis in mice decreases the percentage of CD8+ splenocytes, while the percentage of CD8+ mesenteric lymphonode cells does not change. However, in infected mice the percentage of CD4+ spleen cells and mesenteric lymphonode cells is increased. It has been also found that during the course of infection an increase in the number of CD8+ and CD4+ cells in the basal lamina propria of the intestines was observed. In infected mice, CD4+ lymphocytes were visible in the inflammatory infiltrates of the muscle tissue on the 14th day, whereas CD8+ lymphocytes were first observed a week later. Pretreatment with TFX does not change the inhibitory effect of infection on the percentage of CD8+ splenocytes, but potentiates the percentage of CD4+ spleen cells and mesenteric lymphonode cells increased by infection. Furthermore, administration of TFX prior to infection also potentiates the stimulatory effect of T. spiralis on the number of CD8+ and CD4+ in the basal lamina propria of the jejunum, and on the number of CD8+ cells in the inflammatory infiltrates of the muscle tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University, Norwida 31, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Obmińska-Mrukowicz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piekarska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szczypka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Widyma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Połozowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017160:Trichinella spiralis / Q000276:immunology; D014235:Trichinellosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D013949:Thymus Extracts