Increased IL-4- and IL-17-producing CD8+ cells are related to decreased CD39+CD4+Foxp3+ cells in allergic asthma

Objective: In allergic asthma, regulatory T cell (Treg) number and function are decreased. Antigen-primed CD8⁺ T cells play an indispensable role in the full development of airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) occurring in asthma. In this study, we investigated the relationship between subpopulations of CD8⁺ T cells and CD39⁺ Tregs. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were used to develop the model of allergic asthma. Experimental mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) by intra-peritoneal (i.p) injection and then challenged with OVA by intra-tracheal administration. Control mice were immunized with vehicle by i.p injection and challenged with OVA. Airway inflammation was determined by histology and AHR was measured by an invasive method. Levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequencies of CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺ cells (Tc1), CD8⁺IL-4⁺ cells (Tc2), CD8⁺IL-17⁺cells (Tc17), and CD39⁺Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. The correlation between CD39⁺Tregs and Tc subsets was analyzed by Pearson’s test. Results: Experimental mice displayed phenotypes of allergic asthma, including inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs, goblet cell hyperplasia, increased airway resistance, and increased IL-4 and IL-17 in BALF. Compared to control mice, experimental mice displayed lower CD39⁺Tregs and Tc1 but higher Tc2 and Tc17. There was a negative correlation between CD39⁺Tregs and Tc2 or Tc17. Conclusion: In allergic asthma, increased Tc2 and Tc17 are possibly related to insufficient CD39⁺Tregs.     

Kupffer细胞对日本血吸虫病肉芽肿期CD4~+CD25~+T细胞的影响

目的探讨Kupffer细胞对日本血吸虫病肉芽肿期CD4+CD25+T细胞的影响。方法6～8周龄雌性C57BL/6J小鼠30只分为对照组、感染组与感染/氯化钆组3组,每组10只。感染组和感染/氯化钆组小鼠通过腹部感染尾蚴(10条/只),感染/氯化钆组于感染后第4周经尾静脉注射氯化钆,剂量为每次15mg/kg,每周2次;对照组通过尾静脉注射PBS。感染8周后流式细胞仪检测小鼠CD4+CD25+T细胞数量;免疫组织化学染色检测Foxp3的分布;ELISA检测血清细胞因子IL-4、IL-5、IL-10、TGF-β1与IFN-γ的水平,并进行肝功能检测。结果感染组小鼠CD4+CD25+T细胞数量为13.8%,感染/氯化钆组为9.3%;感染组IL-10为41.4pg/ml,感染/氯化钆组为22.6pg/ml;氯化钆可下调Foxp3的分布、血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶的水平,并减轻血吸虫肉芽肿周围的炎症反应。结论Kupffer细胞通过调控CD4+CD25+T细胞数量而参与日本血吸虫肉芽肿的形成。     

调节性T细胞在不同品系小鼠心脏移植后的变化及意义

目的探讨不同品系小鼠颈部心脏移植后调节性T细胞的变化及意义。方法建立小鼠颈部心脏异位移植模型,实验分2组,受体小鼠均为C57BL／6,供体分别为BALB／c和C57BL／6小鼠。比较两组供心存活时间、排斥反应程度,流式细胞仪测定CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞（Tregs）及CD3＋CD8＋T细胞水平。结果术后第7天,异基因组Tregs水平明显低于同基因组（P〈0．05）,而CD8＋T细胞却明显高于同基因组（P〈0．05）。结论Tregs水平高低与心脏移植后免疫耐受的发生、发展密切相关,可作为心脏移植后免疫耐受的监测指标,对移植物的预后估计和急性排斥反应的早期诊断具有重要的临床意义。     

CD4+ and/or gammadelta+ T cells in the liver spontaneously produce IL-4 in vitro during the early phase of Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice.

Numerous studies on the cytokine production profile in Leishmania major infected susceptible and resistant mice have been carried out to elucidate the mechanisms of healing or non-healing of this infection. However, many methods may have failed to detect the actual cytokine production in the inflammatory foci. To overcome this problems, the ELISPOT assay was used to examine the spontaneous production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in vitro by mononuclear cells from the spleen, lymph nodes and liver in L. major-infected susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice. None of these mononuclear cells spontaneously produced IFN-gamma in either mouse strains in vitro in the absence of the corresponding antigen(s). However, liver mononuclear cells from infected BALB/c mice spontaneously produced IL-4 in vitro in as early as 2 weeks after the infection, but this was not observed in C57BL/6 mice. The IL-4 producing liver lymphocytes consisted of CD4+ and/or gammadelta+ T cells and uncharacterized cells. These results suggest that liver lymphocytes play some role in the establishment of Th2 prevalence in susceptible BALB/c mice, based on the importance of IL.4 production in the early phase of L. major infection in establishing Th2 dominance in this parasite susceptible mouse.     

Cytokines and antibody responses during Trypanosoma congolense infections in two inbred mouse strains that differ in resistance

We studied IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma secretion by splenocytes and the plasma levels of different isotypes of antibodies against various antigens of Trypanosoma congolense in highly susceptible BALB/c and relatively resistant C57BL/6 mice during the early course of infection with T. congolense. The patterns of appearance of cytokine spotforming cells in the spleens were essentially similar in the two mouse strains although higher numbers were detected in the spleens of BALB/c than C57BL/6 mice on some days post-infection. However, the amount of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma secreted into the culture fluids was dramatically different. From day 4 forward, splenocytes from BALB/c mice secreted very high levels of these cytokines. In contrast, splenocytes from infected C57BL/6 mice did not secrete detectable levels of IL-4 throughout the period tested. The secretion of IL-10 and IFN-gamma by C57BL/6 splenocytes only became appreciable on day 6 and was down-regulated by day 8, when the first wave of parasitaemia was being controlled. At days 6-8, splenocytes from infected C57BL/6 mice secreted two-fold higher amounts of IL-12 p40 than those from BALB/c mice. Infected BALB/c mice mounted an earlier IgM antibody response to variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), formalin-fixed T. congolense and whole T. congolense lysates than did infected C57BL/6 mice. However, they failed to make any detectable IgG3 and IgG2a antibody responses to these antigens whereas infected C57BL/6 mice made strong IgG3 and IgG2a responses. We speculate that enhanced resistance against T. congolense infections in mice may be mediated by IL-12 dependent synthesis of IgG2 antibodies to VSG and possibly also common trypanosomal antigens.     

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞在约氏疟原虫感染小鼠应答早期中的作用

目的探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在约氏疟原虫感染早期的作用及意义。方法用约氏疟原虫(致死型)感染DBA/2和BALB/c小鼠,计数红细胞感染率;在感染后第0d、3d、4d、5d和6d提取脾细胞应为,流式细胞术检测两种小鼠感染不同时间脾细胞悬液中CD4+T细胞和CD4+CD25+T细胞百分含量;ELISA法检测脾细胞培养上清IFNγ、IL10和TGFβ1水平。结果DBA/2小鼠的IFNγ水平在感染后第3d迅速升高后缓慢下降(P<0.01),CD4+CD25+T细胞数仅在感染后第5d出现有意义的升高(P<0.05),而IL10水平和CD4+T细胞数量都无明显改变。BALB/c小鼠的IFNγ水平在感染后第3d出现有意义的升高后迅速下降(P<0.01),CD4+CD25+T细胞数在感染后第3d开始明显升高,于感染后第5d出现下降(P<0.05),而IL10水平自感染后第3～6d持续维持高水平(P<0.05),CD4+T细胞数量于感染后第6天明显下降(P<0.05)。结论CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在致死型约氏疟原虫感染BALB/c小鼠早期可能通过抑制性细胞因子IL10发挥免疫抑制作用。     

IL-12p40-independent induction of protective immunity upon multiple Plasmodium berghei irradiated sporozoite immunizations

Both IFN-gamma and IL-12 play critical roles in defence against malaria. In a previous study, using Plasmodium yoelii model, C57BL/6 IFN-gamma receptor deficient mice (IFN-gammaR-/-) failed to develop protective immunity after a single immunization with irradiated sporozoites, but were protected after multiple immunizations. In contrast, in another study, BALB/c IFN-gamma gene knockout mice (IFN-gamma-/-) and BALB/c IL-12-deficient mice (IL-12p40-/- and IL-12p35-/-) were unable to mount protective immune response even after multiple immunizations with the same irradiated parasites. To better define the role of IFN-gamma and IL-12p40 in sterile protection, we selected the C57BL/6 model. Wild-type and IL-12p40-/- mice were immunized with a single or multiple doses of P. berghei irradiated sporozoites. While the wild-type mice were able to rapidly produce IFN-gamma and mount a protective immune response after a single immunization with irradiated sporozoites, IL-12p40-/- mice were neither able to produce IFN-gamma nor were protected. However, both strains of mice were able to produce IFN-gamma and were protected after three doses of irradiated sporozoites. Protection was partially and largely mediated by CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, respectively. Thus, IL-12p40 plays an important role in mediating early protection by irradiated sporozoite immunization but is dispensable for protective immunity induced by several immunizations with irradiated sporozoites. Moreover, treatment of hyperimmune IL-12p40-/- mice with rhIL-18 bp-Fc, an inhibitor of IL-18 activity, did not abrogate protection indicating that IL-18 is not required for the effector phase of the immune response; it remains possible, however, that IL-18 may compensate for the lack of IL-12p40 in the induction phase of the immune response.     

Recovery of antitumor CD4+ T cell responsiveness,suppressed in the tumor-bearing state,by release from tumor burden

The present study investigates the recovery of antitumor CD4⁺ T cell responsiveness, suppressed in the tumor-bearing state, following release of tumor burden. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice bearing a syngeneic tumor (CSA1M) 1–3 weeks after the inoculation with CSA1M cells produced interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 upon in vitro cultures without addition of exogeneous tumor antigens. This lymphokine production was achieved through collaboration between anti-CSA1M CD4⁺ T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC) that has been pulsed with CSA1M tumor antigens in vivo in the tumor-bearing state. The lymphokine-producing capacity gradually decreased as the tumor-bearing period increased, and spleen cells from mice at late (8–10 week) tumor-bearing stages produced reduced levels of lymphokines. Because APC in these cells exhibited enhanced capacities to present tumor antigens, the reduced responsiveness was ascribed to the dysfunction of CD4⁺ T cells themselves. However, removal of a tumor after 8 weeks resulted in a remarkable recovery of the lymphokine-producing capacities of whole spleen cells. In contrast to the reduction in CSA1M-antigen-presenting activity of APC following tumor resection, CD4⁺ T cells exhibited a reciprocal increase in their responsiveness to CSA1M antigens. The recovery of antitumor responsiveness was also observed in the in vitro cultures free from tumor burden; when spleen cells from mice at late tumor-bearing stages were pre-incubated for 1–2 days and re-cultured in fresh medium. They produced potent amounts of IL-2 and IL-4. These results indicate that the immunodysfunction of antitumor CD4⁺ T cells induced in the tumor-bearing state is not irreversible, and release from tumor burden results in almost complete recovery of the potent antitumor responsiveness they previously expressed.Abbreviations APC antigen-presenting cells - Th helper T cells - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - TGF transforming growth factor - IL interleukin This work was supported by Special Project Research-Cancer Bioscience from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan     

Regulation of Graves' hyperthyroidism with naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in a mouse model

Graves' hyperthyroidism can be efficiently induced in susceptible mouse strains by repeated immunization with recombinant adenovirus coding the TSH receptor (TSHR). This study was designed to evaluate the role(s) played by naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in the development of Graves' hyperthyroidism in resistant C57BL/6 and susceptible BALB/c mice. Depletion of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells rendered some C57BL/6 mice susceptible to induction of hyperthyroidism. Thus, hyperthyroidism developed in 30% of the CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell-depleted C57BL/6 mice immunized with adenovirus expressing the TSHR A-subunit (AdTSHR289) vs. 0% of those immunized with AdTSHR289 alone. This immunological manipulation also enhanced disease severity in susceptible BALB/c mice, as reflected by a significant increase in mean T(4) levels by CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell depletion. The immunoenhancing effect of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell depletion appears to be attributable to an increase in thyroid-stimulating antibody production and/or a decrease in thyroid-blocking antibody synthesis, but not immune deviation to either T helper 1 or 2 cells. Interestingly, unlike BALB/c mice, some hyperthyroid C57BL/6 mice showed some intrathyroidal lymphocytic infiltration with follicular destruction. These results indicate that CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells play a role in disease susceptibility and severity in adenovirus-TSHR-induced Graves' hyperthyroidism. Overall, the imbalance between effector and regulatory T cells appears to be crucial in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease.     

Anti-CD3 prevents factor VIII inhibitor development in hemophilia A mice by a regulatory CD4+CD25+-dependent mechanism and by shifting cytokine production to favor a Th1 response

Non-Fc-receptor binding anti-CD3 Ab therapy, in the setting of several different autoimmune disorders, can induce antigen-specific and long-lasting immunologic tolerance. Because factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor formation is the most serious treatment-related complication for hemophilia A patients, we tested the efficacy of anti-CD3 to prevent FVIII inhibitor formation in hemophilia A BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. A short course of low-dose anti-CD3 significantly increased expression of CD25 and the proportion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the spleen and potently prevented the production of inhibitory and non-neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies in both strains of mouse. Depleting the CD4+CD25+ cells during anti-CD3 therapy completely ablated tolerance to FVIII. Further phenotypic characterization of regulatory cells in tolerant mice showed a consistently higher number of CD4+GITR+ and CD4+FoxP3+ cells in both strains of mice. In addition, in tolerant C57BL/6 mice we observed an increase in CD4+CD25+ CTLA-4+ and CD4+CD25+mTGF-beta1+ cells. Finally, in vitro cytokine profiling demonstrated that splenocytes from tolerant BALB/c and C57BL/6 were polarized toward a Th1-immune response. Taken together, these findings indicate that anti-CD3 induces tolerance to FVIII and that the mechanism(s) regulating this response almost certainly occurs through the generation of several distinct regulatory T-cell lineages and by influencing cytokine production and profile.     

地塞米松对哮喘小鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞及IL-4、IL-10水平的影响

目的 探讨地塞米松对哮喘小鼠CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞及IL-4、IL-10水平的影响.方法 30只雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为三组:正常对照组、哮喘组和地塞米松组.利用卵清白蛋白腹腔注射和雾化吸入制备哮喘模型;通过流式细胞仪检测各组小鼠脾脏单个核细胞CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的百分比;使用免疫组织化学方法分析各组IL-4在小鼠肺组织中的表达情况;用酶联免疫吸附试验检测各组小鼠血清IL-10的水平.结果 哮喘组脾脏单个核细胞CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分比及IL-10的表达水平较正常对照组和地塞米松组降低(P＜0.05),哮喘组IL-4水平较正常对照组和地塞米松组增高(P＜0.05).结论 地塞米松的抗炎作用可能通过上调CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞、调节性T细胞亚群失衡的途径来实现.     

自然调节性T细胞对脑型疟疾易感鼠和抵抗鼠感染结局的影响

目的探讨自然调节性T细胞(nTregs)在伯氏疟原虫感染过程中的活化特点及其与疾病进展的相关性。方法用伯氏疟原虫ANKA分别感染C57BL/6、BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠,计数红细胞感染率;感染前和感染后3、5、8d制备脾细胞悬液,流式细胞术检测脾细胞悬液中nTregs百分含量;ELISA和Griess方法检测脾细胞培养上清IFN-γ、IL-10和NO水平。结果C57BL/6小鼠感染后8～11d死于脑疟,BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠感染后3～4w死于贫血和过度虫体血症。3种小鼠于感染后3d,nTregs百分数达到峰值后逐渐下降,于感染后8d,C57BL/6小鼠nTregs百分数下降最为显著并明显低于正常水平,整个感染过程中,C57BL/6小鼠的nTregs百分含量显著低于BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠。3种小鼠脾细胞培养上清IFN-γ、NO和IL-10水平于感染后开始升高,感染后5d达到峰值,感染后8d与感染后5d相比,C57BL/6小鼠IFN-γ、NO水平轻微下降,IL-10水平显著下降;BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠IFN-γ、NO水平显著下降,IL-10水平轻微下降。并且C57BL/6小鼠IFN-γ、NO水平高于BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠,而IL-10水平低于BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠。3种小鼠感染后脾脏nTregs数量与IFN-γ和NO水平呈负相关,IL-10水平与感染率呈正相关。结论伯氏疟原虫感染过程中,nTregs数量的动态变化与宿主感染结局密切相关。     

Age-related alteration of cytokine production profile by T cell subsets in mice: a flow cytometric study.

Spleen cells from young and old C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies, and the profile of cytokine production was examined by two different methods; the concentrations of cytokines as measured by ELISA, and identification of cytokine-positive cells by flow cytometry. The ELISA method revealed that IL-2 production by spleen cells after stimulation was significantly lower in the old mice compared to the young mice. while IFN-gamma production was the reverse. The flow cytometric analysis showed that the percentage of IL-2 positive cells in spleen cells after the stimulation was significantly lower in the older mice than in the young mice, and vice versa for the percentage of IFN-gamma-positive cells. Regarding the T cell subsets, CD4+ T cells were a major source of IL-2 in both the young and old mice. IL-2-positive cells in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed a significant decrease with age. On the contrary, CDX T cells were the major source of IFN-gamma. An age-related increase of IFN-gamma positive cells was observed in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CD4 T cells were the major source of IL-4, and the percentage of IL-4-positive CD4+ T cells also increased with age, although the level of IL-4 production was modest in C57BL/6 mice compared with IL-2 and IFN-gamma. Such age-related changes of cytokine production are presumed to play an important role in the alteration of immunological capacity with age.     

Immunity to coccidiosis: genetic influences on lymphocyte and cytokine responses to infection with Eimeria vermiformis in inbred mice

Cellular and cytokine responses to infection with Eimeria vermiformis were compared in BALB/c (resistant) and C57BL/6 (B6-susceptible) inbred mice. Cellular responses in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) occurred sooner after primary infection in the resistant BALB/c strain. In contrast, proliferative responses occurred earlier after challenge in B6 mice. Resting levels of CD4 + ve and CD8 + ve T-lymphocytes in the MLN differed between the two strains but the relative numbers of each subset remained relatively constant throughout primary infection. MLN cells taken at intervals after infection were assayed for release of the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-5 and IL-10 after culture in vitro with the mitogen Concanavalin A (Con-A) or with parasite antigen. With either stimulus cells from resistant BALB/c mice released IFN-gamma and IL-5 earlier after infection than did B6 cells. The strains had a comparable absolute ability to produce IFN-gamma but BALB/c cells released more IL-5 than did B6, levels declining, rather than increasing, during primary infection in the latter. Only cells from BALB/c mice released IL-10 during infection. Cells taken after a secondary infection released relatively little cytokine after pulsing in vitro. These data suggest that the difference in response phenotype between the two strains when infected with E. vermiformis reflect a kinetic, rather than a qualitative, difference in ability to mount protective T-helper (Th) cell subset responses. No evidence was found for a Th2-mediated interference with ability to release IFN-gamma, the cytokine most closely associated with protective immunity.     

Specific, functional effector/memory CD8+ T cells are found in the liver post-vaccination

BACKGROUND: The liver efficiently eliminates activated CD8+ T blasts. It is unknown if vaccine-primed CD8+ T blasts migrate to and establish functional CD8+ T cell immunity in the liver post-immunization. AIMS: We tested, if functional CD8+ T cell populations can be detected in the liver post-vaccination. METHODS: Murine CD8+ T cells with different epitope/restriction specificities were primed by intramuscular injection of protein- or DNA-based vaccines. The kinetics of appearance in the liver, as well as the surface phenotype and functional competence of intrahepatic, specific CD8+ T cell populations was tested. RESULTS: High numbers of specific CD8+ T cells appear in the liver after vaccination that are activated (CD69+ CD44+), express effector functions (CD27lo/CD28lo phenotype, interferon gamma secretion, specific cytolytic reactivity), but show no evidence of apoptosis (annexin V-, B220lo, similar numbers/kinetics in primed, congenic lpr/lpr mice). Specific CD8+ T cells from the liver adoptively transferred into a na?ve, syngeneic host successfully reconstitute specific CD8+ T cell immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Specific, functionally competent CD8+ effector/memory T cell populations are established in the liver for months post-vaccination.     

Innate resistance to experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection: differences in IL-10 synthesis by macrophage cell lines from resistant and susceptible inbred mice

BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice differ in resistance to T. congolense infections. We investigated the production of various cytokines (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta) by macrophages from these mice. Macrophage cell lines (BALB.BM cells) of BALB/c mice but not (ANA-I cells)of C57BL/6 mice constitutively produced IL-10. Challenge of these cells with trypanosomes induced the production of 50-100 times more IL-10 in BALB.BM cells than in ANA-1 cells. Pre-incubation of the cell lines with IFN-gamma. prior to the trypanosome challenge, further upregulated this IL-10 production in BALB.BM but not in ANA-1 cells. Primary cultures of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from BALB/c mice also produced more IL-10 following challenge with IFN-gamma and opsonized trypanosomes than did the C57Bl/6 BMDM. Similarly after challenge with trypanosomes, BALB.BM and BALB/c BMDM produced significantly more IL-6 than did the analogous cells from the C57Bl/6 mice following such challenges. Higher steady state levels of TNF-alpha mRNA accumulated in ANA-1 cells than in BALB.BM cells following challenge with IFN-gamma and opsonized trypanosomes. Findings of this study for the first time indicate a differential regulation of cytokines (IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) in macrophages of mice that significantly differ in their susceptibility to infections with T. congolense.     

The role of CD8+ cells in the establishment and maintenance of a Trichuris muris infection

Chronic infection by the caecal-dwelling intestinal murine nematode Trichuris muris occurs if given as a high-dose infection to 'susceptible' AKR mice or as a low-dose infection to the normally 'resistant' C57BL/6 mouse strain. Both regimes result in a type 1 cytokine response, i.e. high levels of IFN-gamma and IL-12. Here we show this susceptible response is associated with a large population of CD8(+) IFN-gamma(+) cells within the mesenteric lymph nodes and numerous CD8(+) cells infiltrating the caecal mucosa. Despite this, the in vivo abolition of CD8(+) cells within AKR and C57BL/6 mice, either prior to infection or once infection has become established, failed to affect chronicity, implying that CD8(+) T cells are not essential for the initiation or maintenance of the susceptible response to T. muris. Interestingly, the percentage of IFN-gamma(+) CD4(+) cells increased in treated groups, perhaps in a compensatory role. The majority of antigen-specific cytokine responses were comparable in both treated and control groups, although IL-5 was fivefold higher in animals receiving anti-CD8 mAbs and IFN-gamma was also raised in treated mice. Mastocytosis was unaltered by CD8 depletion, however, paradoxically, eosinophilia within the caecum was reduced in treated mice. Together these data clearly demonstrate that CD8(+) T cells are associated with chronic T. muris infection; however, these cells are dispensable for both the early and late phases of this response, but do appear to play a role in the regulation of certain cytokines and caecal eosinophilia.     

In vitro activity of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from mice immunized with a synthetic malaria peptide.

In previous work, a T-helper epitope was mapped within the circumsporozoite protein of the murine malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii. A 21-mer synthetic peptide corresponding to this epitope (amino acid positions 59-79; referred to as Py1) induced a specific T-cell proliferation in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and provided help for the production of antibodies to peptides from the repetitive region, (Gln-Gly-Pro-Gly-Ala-Pro)n, of the P. yoelii circumsporozoite protein when mice were immunized with the Py1 peptide conjugated to the repetitive peptide. Experiments were then designed to study the in vitro antiparasite efficacy of T cells elicited in vivo by peptide immunization. T-cell activity was evaluated on cultured hepatic stages of P. yoelii. Peptide immunizations led to the preferential activation of CD8+ T cells in BALB/c mice and of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in C57BL/6 mice. Parasite elimination was mediated directly by these cells and did not seem to be dependent on lymphokine secretion. These data suggest that peptide-primed CD4+ T cells as well as CD8+ T cells could be cytolytic for the hepatic phase of malaria parasites. The fact that the same peptide could activate different lymphocyte populations, depending on the strain of mouse, highlights the importance of a better understanding of the fine mechanisms behind the immune responses to synthetic peptides being tested for malaria vaccine development.     

Probiotics increase T regulatory cells and reduce severity of experimental colitis in mice

AIM:To investigate the effect of probiotics on regulating T regulatory cells and reducing the severity of experimental colitis in mice. METHODS:Forty C57/BL mice were randomly divided into four groups.Colitis was induced in the mice using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS).After 10-d treatment with Bifico capsules(combined bifidobacterium,lactobacillus and enterococcus),body weight,colonic weight,colonic weight index,length of colon,and histological scores were evaluated.CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cell in mesenteric lymph nodes were measured by flow cytometry,and cytokines in colonic tissue homogenateswere analyzed by a cytometric bead array. RESULTS:The colonic weight index and the colonic weight of colitis mice treated with Bifico were lower than that of TNBS-induced mice without treatment. However,colonic length and percent of body weight amplification were higher than in TNBS-induced mice without treatment.Compared with TNBS-induced mice without treatment,the level of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes,the expression of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4 and IL-10 in colonic tissues from colitis mice treated with Bifico were upregulated,and tumor necrosis factor-αand interferon-γwere downregulated. CONCLUSION:Probiotics effectively treat experimental colitis by increasing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cell and regulating the balance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the colonic mucosa.