title: Intrinsic expression of Nod2 in CD4+ T lymphocytes is not necessary for the development of cell-mediated immunity and host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Nod2 belongs to the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat family of proteins and senses bacterial cell wall components to initiate innate immune responses against various pathogens. Recently, it has been reported that T-cell-intrinsic expression of Nod2 promotes host defense against Toxoplasma gondii infection by inducing type 1 immunity. Here, we present results that demonstrate that Nod2 does not play a role in the defense against T. gondii infection. Nod2-deficient mice were fully capable of inducing Th1 immune responses and did not show enhanced susceptibility to infection. Upon TCR stimulation in vitro, Nod2-deficient CD4(+)  T cells showed normal activation, IL-2 production, proliferation, and Th1/2 differentiation. Nod2 mRNA and protein were expressed in CD4(+)  T and CD8(+)  T cells at substantial levels. Therefore, Nod2, although expressed in CD4(+)  T cells, does not have an intrinsic function in T-cell activation and differentiation.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors: Braulia C
authors: BC
authors: Caetano
authors: Amlan
authors: A
authors: Biswas
authors: Djalma S
authors: DS
authors: Lima
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Benevides
authors: Tiago W P
authors: TW
authors: Mineo
authors: Catarina V
authors: CV
authors: Horta
authors: Kyoung-Hee
authors: KH
authors: Lee
authors: Joao S
authors: JS
authors: Silva
authors: Ricardo T
authors: RT
authors: Gazzinelli
authors: Dario S
authors: DS
authors: Zamboni
authors: Koichi S
authors: KS
authors: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; C495945:Nod2 protein, mouse