Changes of cytokine mRNA expression and IgG responses in rats infected with Capillaria hepatica.
The mRNA expression of several cytokines was evaluated in splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells of rats infected with Capillaria hepatica by reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR until week 12 after infection. IgG1 and IgG2a, which are associated with Th1 and Th2 response, respectively, were also assessed by ELISA. The results indicated that the majority of cytokines, including the Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL- 10) were expressed at maximal levels during the early stage of infection (after week 1-2), and the ELISA data also evidenced a similar pattern of changes in IgG1 and IgG2a. Th1 and Th2 cytokines responded in a similar fashion in this rat model. The expression of cytokines in splenocytes was significantly higher than that in MLN cells, thereby indicating that cytokine production is controlled more by spleen than by MLN. In addition, the observation that IFN-gamma expression increased unexpectedly at the time of maximal egg production (6 weeks after infection) indicated that IFN- gamma is a cytokine reacting against egg production. However, increased IL-5 expression occurring in tandem with worm activity indicated that the activity of C. hepatica might be controlled by IL-5 expression.
Kim
Dong Kwan
DK
Department of Parasitology and the Institute of Travel Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 136-705, Korea.
Joo
Kyoung Hwan
KH
Chung
Myung Sook
MS
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002195:Capillaria / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017189:Enoplida Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012333:RNA, Messenger