Regulatory T cells modulate Th2 responses induced by Brugia pahangi third-stage larvae

Infect Immun. 2005 Jul;73(7):4034-42. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.7.4034-4042.2005.

Abstract

Infection of BALB/c mice with Brugia pahangi third-stage larvae (L3) results in the production of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-10 with a resultant down-regulation in Th1 responses. Previously, this was thought to reflect a skewing of immune responses towards a Th2 phenotype by the infective stage of the parasite. In this study, we show that exposure to the L3 of Brugia also induces the expansion of a population of CD4 cells that express CD25 and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in an IL-4-independent fashion. By quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we show that the CD25+ population is highly enriched in mRNA for the Foxp3 transcription factor and that these cells express significantly more IL-10 mRNA than the CD25- population, suggesting a likely regulatory phenotype. The functional capacity of these cells was demonstrated using a neutralizing CD25 monoclonal antibody (MAb). Mice treated with this MAb demonstrated elevated levels of antigen (Ag)-specific proliferation in vitro, and levels of Ag-specific Th2 cytokines were significantly increased. These results suggest a complex network of regulation in L3-infected mice with Th2 cells limiting the Th1 response, while T-regulatory cells modulate Th2 responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation / analysis
  • Brugia pahangi / immunology*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • Filariasis / immunology*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Ctla4 protein, rat
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, rat
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma