Glycoinositolphospholipids from Trypanosoma cruzi induce B cell hyper-responsiveness in vivo

Glycoconj J. 2000 Oct;17(10):727-34. doi: 10.1023/a:1011082925179.

Abstract

The surface of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease, is covered by a dense glycolipid layer, composed mainly by a structurally related family of glycoinositolphospholipids (GIPLs). In the present study we evaluated the in vivo effects of the GIPL on B cell function and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion. We observed that GIPL injection led to a sustained increase in circulating IgM levels. B cells from GIPL injected mice showed higher response when activated in vitro with either LPS or dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibodies or purified cytokines. GIPL purified from T. cruzi also showed an adjuvant effect, since this glycophospholipid boosted a polysaccharide-(TNP-Ficoll) induced IgG response. Taken together, our data indicate that T. cruzi-derived GIPL could be at least partially responsible for the remarkable B cell activation observed during T. cruzi acute infection in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glycolipids / immunology
  • Glycolipids / pharmacology*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / drug effects
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phospholipids / immunology
  • Phospholipids / pharmacology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / chemistry*

Substances

  • Glycolipids
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Phospholipids
  • glycoinositolphospholipid, Trypanosoma