title: Tim-3 is differently expressed in genetically susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant BALB/c mice during oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Tim-3 has opposing roles in innate and adaptive immunities. It not only dampens CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responses but also enhances the ability of macrophages to eliminate intracellular pathogens. After peroral infection with 100 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii genetically susceptible C57BL/6 mice develop an unchecked Th1 response associated with the development of small intestinal immunopathology. Here we report that upon infection with T. gondii, both susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant BALB/c mice exhibit increased frequencies of Tim-3+ cells in spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes. The number of Tim-3+ cells was significantly higher in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c mice. Tim-3 was expressed by macrophages, dendritic, natural killer, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Highest frequencies of Tim-3+ cells were observed at the peak of Th1 responses (day 7 post infection) concurrent with the development of ileal immunopathology. Infected Tim-3-deficient BALB/c mice did not develop ileal immunopathology nor did their parasite loads differ from those in wildtype BALB/c mice. Thus, although Tim-3 is markedly upregulated upon infection and differentially regulated in susceptible and resistant mice upon infection with T. gondii, the absence of Tim-3 is not sufficient to overcome the genetic resistance of BALB/c mice to the development of Th1-driven small intestinal immunopathology.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Berrocal Almanza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kühl
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamradt
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Heimesaat
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Liesenfeld
keywords: T cells; Th1 type immunopathology; Tim-3; Toxoplasma gondii; acute ileitis; immune cell response; oral infection