Effect of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells on the immune evasion of Schistosoma japonicum

It has been known that parasites developed sophisticated strategies to escape from the host immune assault. More recently, one strategy to induce immune evasion involved CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae and then injected intraperitoneally with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD25 mAb). The results showed that the percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs in mice were expanded by S. japonicum infection, and it could be partially blocked by anti-CD25 mAb. Worm burden in anti-CD25 mAb group (23.17 ± 6.94) was significantly lower than that in infected group (30.17 ± 5.85). The level of interferon gamma was increased with anti-CD25 mAb administration; meanwhile, lower concentration of interleukin 10 was observed in the same group. These results suggest that CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs contribute to the escape of S. japonicum from the host immune responses, while anti-CD25 mAb can partially block CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs and enhance the protective immunity to the parasite by Th1-type immune response.