Premium
Role of gamma interferon and T cells in congenital Toxoplasma transmission
Author(s) -
AbouBacar A.,
Pfaff A. W.,
LetscherBru V.,
Filisetti D.,
Rajapakse R.,
Antoni E.,
Villard O.,
Klein J.P.,
Candolfi E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00713.x
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , toxoplasmosis , cd8 , biology , immunology , interferon gamma , antibody , monoclonal antibody , immunity , pregnancy , placenta , cellular immunity , virology , fetus , immune system , genetics
SUMMARY In the BALB/c mouse model, primary infection with Toxoplasma gondii during 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 of T. gondii correlates 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.