Th1 and Th2 immune response to P30 and ROP18 peptides in human toxoplasmosis

Med Microbiol Immunol. 2014 Oct;203(5):315-22. doi: 10.1007/s00430-014-0339-0. Epub 2014 May 11.

Abstract

We determined the specific lymphocyte proliferative response and cytokine profile production regarding Toxoplasma P30 (2017 from virulent and non-virulent strain) and ROP18 protein-derived peptides (from clonal lineages I, II and III) in 19 patients having ocular toxoplasmosis, five suffering chronic asymptomatic infection, nine with congenital toxoplasmosis and eight Toxoplasma negative people. A Beckman Coulter FC500 flow cytometer was used for determining antigen-specific T cells (CD3+ CD4+ or CD3+ CD8+ cells) in peripheral blood culture. IFN γ and IL10 levels were determined in culture supernatants. Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response to total antigen and P30- and ROP18-derived peptides was observed in infected people. Ocular toxoplasmosis patients had a preferential Th2 response after antigenic stimulation. Non-virulent peptide 2017 was able to shift response toward Th1 in congenitally infected children and virulent peptide 2017 induced a Th2 response in chronically infected, asymptomatic people. An immune response in human toxoplasmosis after ex vivo antigenic stimulation was Th1- or Th2-skewed, depending on a patient's clinical condition. Colombian ocular toxoplasmosis patients' immune response was Th2-skewed, regardless of the nature of antigen stimulus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Child
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / immunology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Cytokines
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • SAG1 antigen, Toxoplasma
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • ROP18 protein, Toxoplasma gondii