The cell-mediated immune response to Borrelia afzelii, garinii and burgdorferi in C57BL/6 mice is dependent on antigen specificity

Abstract

Inbred C57BL/6 mice were challenged with Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and tested for antigen-specific T-cell response in vitro. The sonicated preparations of in vitro grown spirochetes were capable of stimulating polyclonal proliferation and specific cell-mediated response, depending on duration of the cell culture. Murine splenocytes previously sensitized to B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l. ), but not those from control mice, could be induced for antigen-specific proliferation in vitro. Moreover, detectable cell-mediated response could be induced only with antigen preparations derived from a corresponding strain but not with those obtained from other Borrelia genospecies as revealed by the [(3)H]thymidine incorporation assay. The current study considers that the strict B. burgdorferi s.l. antigen-specific response may also be expected in infections in humans and contributes to the explanation of the frequently poor antibody- and cell-mediated immune response observed in patients diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Comparison of different Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains for detection of immune response in patients with erythema migrans

“…After thawing, the spirochaetes were ultrasonicated for 30 s, with a rest period of 30 s in an ice-water bath for a total of eight cycles with a cell disrupter on grade 4 (model Misonix, Sonicator XL, New York). The sonicated sample was then centrifuged at 1500g for 5 min (Malovrh et al, 2000). The supernatant was stored at À20 1C until testing.…”