Open AccessDepletion of CD8 + T cells suppresses growth of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and interferon‐gamma) production in infected rats
Author(s) -
BAKHIET M.,
OLSSON T.,
MEIDE P.,
KRISTENSSON K.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1990.tb03317.x
Subject(s) - trypanosoma brucei , biology , cd8 , splenocyte , interferon gamma , major histocompatibility complex , immunology , t cell , antigen , mhc class i , cytotoxic t cell , interferon , immune system , virology , in vitro , biochemistry , gene
SUMMARY Sprague‐Dawley rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei showed a strong and rapid induction of splenocyte IFN‐γ (within 12 h post‐infection) as measured by a single cell assay for IFN‐γ secretion. Depiction of CD8 + cells in infected rats abrogated the IFN‐γ production, suppressed parasite growth and increased survival of the animals. Induction of MHC class I antigens in the paraventricular and supra‐optic hypothalamic nuclei caused by the trypanosome infection was also inhibited by the CD8 + cell depletion. It is suggested that the CD8 + cells are involved directly or indirectly in growth regulation of the parasite and that IFN‐γ induced by the parasite may be one of the factors that trigger MHC expression and immunosuppression.