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- Title
Role of gamma interferon and T cells in congenitalToxoplasmatransmission.
- Authors
Abou-Bacar, A.; Pfaff, A. W.; Letscher-Bru, V.; Filisetti, D.; Rajapakse, R.; Antoni, E.; Villard, O.; Klein, J.-P.; Candolfi, E.
- Abstract
In the BALB/c mouse model, primary infection withToxoplasma gondiiduring the second third of gestation leads to a high percentage of infected foetuses. However, immunity induced by infection contracted before pregnancy prevents parasites from crossing the placenta and completely protects the foetuses, as well as the pregnant women. In order to clarify the roles of CD4 + , CD8 + T lymphocytes and IFN-γ in this protection, pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with depleting monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CD8, IFN-γ, or control antibody. Only the foetuses of the groups treated with anti-CD8 and anti-IFN-γ antibodies developed congenital toxoplasmosis. The maternal production of IFN-γ was depressed in the mice depleted of CD4 and CD8 cells (P < 0·001). Determination of the blood parasite load demonstrated that materno-foetal transmission ofT. gondiicorrelates with maternal parasitaemia. Together, these results show that CD8 + T lymphocytes and IFN-γ play an important role in protection against congenital toxoplasmosis during reinfection.
- Subjects
TOXOPLASMA; INTERFERONS; T cells; SARCOCYSTIDAE; CD4 antigen; IMMUNOGLOBULINS
- Publication
Parasite Immunology, 2004, Vol 26, Issue 8/9, p315
- ISSN
0141-9838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00713.x