Murine leukocytes stimulation by Toxoplasma gondii antigens induces high level of IFN- γ production

AbstractToxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan, infecting a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. It is important forT. gondii to balance the response between cellular and humoral immune system for various aspects of its own survival. The aim of this study was to determine the level of IFN- γ and IL-4 production by murine peritoneal leukocytes stimulated withT. gondii lysate antigens (TLAs), excretory/secretory antigens (ESAs), and a combination of them (TLAs:ESAs). TLAs, ESAs, and TLA  + ESA, considered as the experimental groups, were prepared and used to stimulate murine peritoneal leukocytes. The level of the IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted by the stimulated leukocytes was measured. In addition, untreated and phytohemagglutinin-treated groups were considered as negative and posit ive controls, respectively. As compared to the negative control, the level of IL-4 was lower in each of the experimental groups (P <  0.05); however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the positive control and each of the experimental groups (P >  0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference for the level of IFN-γ between each of the experimental groups and both negative and positive controls (P <  0.05). The findings showed that the antigens ofT. gondii were able to increase the IFN- γ production and decrease the level of IL-4 production.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research