Gut-associated immune effector responses in immunocompetent and immunocomprimised mice with Giardia lamblia |
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Authors: | R. Khanna Kum Kum V.K. Vinayak |
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Affiliation: | Division of Experimental Parasitology and Parasitic Immunology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India |
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Abstract: | Abstract Significantly higher Giardia lamblia trophozoites load in the intestine of infected mice accompanied pronounced influx of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (Lyt 2.2+), T cells (Thy 1.2+) and significant reduction in IgA-containing cells in the gut during the establishment and peak phases of infection. The induction of helper/inducer T cells (Lyt 1.1+) and significant enhancement of IgA-containing cells in gut resulted in the decline of the trophozoite loads. However, the prior treatment of animals with dexamethasone alone resulted in significant reduction in helper/inducer T cells (Lyt 1.1+) and the IgA-containing cells in the gut; the percents of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (Lyt 2.2+) and IgM-containing cells remained unaltered. Although the G. lamblia infection in such animals further significantly increased the influx of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells, the late response of helper/inducer T cells and IgA-containing cells was abrogated during the decline phase of infection. The significant reduction in the trophozoite load — despite immuno-suppressive therapy — appeared to be due to unaltered IgM response in such animals which probably took over the function of IgA in defense against G. lamblia . The data of the investigation thus suggested a role of helper/inducer T cells and antibodies producing cells in gut as important effector cells resulting in the termination of primary G. lamblia infection. |
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Keywords: | Giardia lamblia Mice T cell subsets IgA IgM IgG Immune effector response Gut |
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