Effect of in vivo T-cell depletion on the effector T-cell function of immunity to Eimeria falciformis. |
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Authors: | M I Stiff and J P Vasilakos |
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Affiliation: | Animal Health Discovery Research Department, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Greenfield, Indiana 46140. |
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Abstract: | BALB/c mice were exposed to the enteric parasite Eimeria falciformis to produce a natural acquired immunity. The mice were then depleted of their effector T-cell function by in vivo administration of a cytotoxic Thy-1.2 mouse monoclonal antibody. T-cell depletion was demonstrated by a reduction in concanavalin A-induced proliferation of splenic lymphocytes in treated mice compared with that in controls. Twenty-four hours following T-cell depletion, the mice were challenged with 5,000 oocysts of E. falciformis. Daily total oocyst counts were done for each mouse from days 6 to 21 following challenge. Our studies demonstrated that depleting mice of their effector T-cell function following establishment of immunity caused an abrogation of protective immunity to this parasite. |
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