Mucosal and systemic T cell response in mice intragastrically infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Alexandra Correia (Author) ICBAS; Pedro Ferreirinha (Author) Other; Amanda A Costa (Author) Other; Joana Dias (Author) Other; Joana Melo (Author) Other; Rita Costa (Author) Other; Adilia Ribeiro (Author) Other; Augusto Faustino (Author) Other; Luzia Teixeira (Author) ICBAS; Antonio Rocha (Author) ICBAS; Manuel Vilanova (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Veterinary Research

Vol. 44 No. 1

Final page: 69

ISSN: 0928-4249

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Veterinary science

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Veterinary medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-88Q

DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-69

Abstract (EN): The murine model has been widely used to study the host immune response to Neospora caninum. However, in most studies, the intraperitoneal route was preferentially used to establish infection. Here, C57BL/6 mice were infected with N. caninum tachyzoites by the intragastric route, as it more closely resembles the natural route of infection through the gastrointestinal tract. The elicited T-cell mediated immune response was evaluated in the intestinal epithelium and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Early upon the parasitic challenge, IL-12 production by conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells was increased in MLN. Accordingly, increased proportions and numbers of TCR alpha beta(+)CD8(+)IFN-gamma(+) lymphocytes were detected, not only in the intestinal epithelium and MLN, but also in the spleen of the infected mice. In this organ, IFN-gamma-producing TCR alpha beta(+)CD4(+) T cells were also found to increase in the infected mice, however later than CD8(+) T cells. Interestingly, splenic and MLN CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells sorted from infected mice presented a suppressive activity on in vitro T cell proliferation and cytokine production above that of control counterparts. These results altogether indicate that, by producing IFN-gamma, TCR alpha beta(+)CD8(+) cells contribute for local and systemic host protection in the earliest days upon infection established through the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, they also provide substantial evidence for a parasite-driven reinforcement of T regulatory cell function which may contribute for parasite persistence in the host and might represent an additional barrier to overcome towards effective vaccination.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13