Objective: To study the dynamics of IL-22-producing cells and analyze the main source of IL-22 of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.
Methods: The lymphocytes and splenocytes were prepared from lymphnodes and spleens of mice with S. japonicum infection at different stages (0 w, 3 w, 5w, 8 w, 13 w after infection). The proportions of IL-22-producing cells were determined by FACS.
Results: The proportions of IL-22-producing cells increased significantly in the lymphocytes and splenocytes from the mice infected with S. japonicum. The IL-22-producing T cells accounted 80% of the total IL-22-producing cells. The IL-22-producing CD4- T cells increased obviously in the 3rd week after S. japonicum infection. However, the proportion of the IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells began to rise since the 3rd week post-infection, and increased significantly at the 8th week after infection.
Conclusion: In the lymphnodes and spleens of mice infected with S. japonicum, IL-22 is produced by both T cells and non-T cells, and T cells are the most important source of IL-22. The IL-22-producing CD4- T cells increase rapidly in the early acute inflammatory response, and the IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells increase significantly during the chronic inflammatory phase.