<i>In vitro</i> Responses of Spleen Cells from <i>Trichinella spirali</i><i>s</i>-Infected Mice

Abstract

The in vitro cellular immune responses of spleen cells from mice infected with Trichinella spiralis and immunized with BCG have been investigated. ICR/CD-1 mice were originally infected with 200 T. spiralis larvae 22 days prior to infection with 4 × 10⁶ viable or heat-killed mycobacteria. Analysis of the splenic cell populations indicated that significant increases in adherent cells (macrophages) were noted only in groups previously infected with the nematode; the concentration of non-adherent cells (lymphocytes) did not vary significantly among any of the experimental groups. Assay of blast cell transformation and ³H-thymidine incorporation demonstrated the ability of T. spiralis infection to potentiate in vitro cellular immune reactions. These findings support earlier in vivo studies concerning nematode-induced immunopotentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, and provide additional evidence that infection with this nematode enhances the immune capabilities of both stimulated lymphocytes and nonspecific phagocytic cells.

Dose Dependence of <i>Trichinella Spirali</i><i>s</i>-Induced Immunopotentiation

“…suggesting that the parasitic infection had a marked ad juvant-like effect on the cell-mediated im mune response of the mouse [6|. Distinct anatomical changes within the thymic cortex and medulla accompanied these functional alterations after56days of nematode infection [8], An in vitro correlation with these in vivo results 22 days after infection with 200 T. spiralis demonstrated potentiated blast transformation and :,H-thymidine incorpo ration by spleen cells [9].…”

Potentiation of MIF Production by Lymphocytes of <i>Trichinella spirali</i><i>s</i>-lnfected Mice

“…This included increased protection from bacterial and parasitic infections and tumors [1,3,4,8,[10][11][12][13][14]. Peritoneal macrophages have been shown to be activated and increased in a number of these animals [20,21] and have been implicated as non-specific mediators of the observed phenomena [15,20). Lymph node cells and splenic T lymphocytes have also been reported to be increased in both num ber and activity [7]; however, none of these responses were shown to be directed toward a specific immuniz ing antigen.…”