Adoptive transfer of enhanced eosinophilia and resistance to infection in mice by an in vitro generated T-cell line specific for Mesocestoides corti larval antigen

A T-cell line specific for tetrathyridial antigens of the cestode parasite Mesocestoides corti was generated in vitro. The T-cells expressed the L3T4+ Ly2- phenotype and secreted the lymphokines: interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), colony stimulating factor (CSF), mast cell growth factor (MCGF) and eosinophil differentiation factor (EDF) in response to antigen stimulation. The line was stable for up to 16 weeks and produced an enhanced peripheral eosinophil response and a reduced parasite burden (40-50%) when adoptively transferred into naive recipients undergoing a primary infection.