THE GENERATION OF INTERFERON-GAMMA-PRODUCING LYMPHOCYTES-T IN SKIN-DRAINING LYMPH-NODES, AND THEIR RECRUITMENT TO THE LUNGS, IS ASSOCIATED WITH PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY TO SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI

A P Mountford, P S Coulson, R M Pemberton, L E Smythies, R A Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have examined immunological responses in the skin-draining lymph nodes (SLN) and lungs of mice during the 3 weeks after percutaneous exposure to attenuated larvae of Schistosoma mansoni. Cercariae irradiated with 20 krads (V20) were highly protective and sustained an increased number of CD4+ T cells in the SLN. On secondary exposure to schistosome antigen in vitro, these cells were capable of proliferating and secreting high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-3 (IL-3). However, in mice exposed to non-protective 80 krad-irradiated (V80) cercariae, secretion of these cytokines occurred early and only transiently. Significantly elevated numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes were recoverable on Day 21 from the lungs of V20, but not V80 mice. These cells secreted high levels of IFN-gamma and IL-3 in vitro, but not IL-2 and IL-4. Mice immunized intravenously with attenuated lung-stage schistosomula were not protected, despite having an elevated pulmonary lymphocyte population. Moreover these cells failed to secrete IFN-gamma and IL-3. However, significant protection was achieved where exposure of mice to a combination of V80 cercariae and lung-stage schistosomula resulted in the recruitment of IFN-gamma secreting cells to the lungs. We conclude that the success of the irradiated vaccine depends not only on the generation of population of antigen-specific T-helper cells in the SLN, but also recruitment of these cells to the lungs before challenge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)250-256
Number of pages7
JournalImmunology
Volume75
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1992

Keywords

  • IRRADIATED CERCARIAE
  • PHASE IMMUNITY
  • VACCINATED MICE
  • RESISTANCE
  • INDUCTION
  • RESPONSES
  • CHALLENGE
  • CELLS
  • MIGRATION
  • ANTIBODY

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