Effect of different cytokines on the growth of Trypanosoma congolense cultured under axenic conditions

Susceptibility and resistance to Trypanosoma congolense infections

We have put emphasis on recent findings in experimental Trypanosoma congolense infections in highly susceptible BALB/c and relatively resistant C57Bl/6 mice. Based on various analyses, it has been shown that a major difference in resistance to T. congolense infections is expressed early in infection at the macrophage level. A novel plastic-adherent Thy1.2(+) suppressor lymphocyte, which in absolute synergy with a Thy 1.2(-) cell exerts its suppression via interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma opens up an exciting new field of research.

Resistance to the African Trypanosomes Is IFN-γ Dependent

The role of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG)-specific Th cell responses in determining resistance to the African trypanosomes was examined by comparing Th cell responses in relatively resistant and susceptible mice as well as in cytokine gene knockout mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Resistant B10.BR and C57BL/6 mice expressed Th1 cell cytokine responses to VSG stimulation during infection, while susceptible C3H mice produced weak or no Th1 cell cytokine responses. Neither resistant B10.BR and C57BL/6 mice nor susceptible C3H mice made detectable Th2 cell cytokine responses to parasite Ag. To more closely examine the potential role of IFN-γ and other cytokines in host resistance, we determined the resistance phenotypes and Th cell responses of IFN-γ and IL-4 knockout mice. Infected C57BL/6-IFN-γ knockout mice were as susceptible as C57BL/6-scid mice and made an IL-2, but not an IL-4, cytokine response to VSG, while C57BL/6-IL-4 knockout mice were as resistant as the wild-type strain and exhibited both IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokine responses. Passive transfer of spleen cells from wild-type mice to IFN-γ knockout mice resulted in enhanced survival. Both wild-type and IFN-γ knockout mice controlled parasitemia with VSG-specific Ab responses, although parasitemias were higher in the IFN-γ knockout mice. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time that relative resistance to African trypanosomes is associated with a strong Th1 cell response to parasite Ags, that IFN-γ, but not IL-4, is linked to host resistance, and that susceptible animals do not make compensatory Th2 cell responses in the absence of Th1 cell cytokine responses.

Experimental Murine Trypanosoma congolense Infections. II. Role of Splenic Adherent CD3+ Thy1.2+ TCR-αβ− γδ− CD4+8− and CD3+ Thy1.2+ TCR-αβ− γδ− CD4−8− Cells in the Production of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ and in Trypanosome-Elicited Immunosuppression

Trypanosome-induced suppression of T and B cell responses to parasite-related and -unrelated Ags is considered a major mechanism of evasion of the host’s immune defenses by the parasite. Reduced T and B cell responses have been attributed to suppressor T cells, suppressor macrophages, or both. We have previously shown that endogenously produced IL-10 and IFN-γ mediate the suppression of T cell responses in Trypanosoma congolense-infected mice. Here, we show for the first time that splenic CD3+ Thy1.2+ αβ− γδ− CD4+8− and CD3+ Thy1.2+ αβ− γδ− CD4−8− cells that copurify with plastic-, nylon wool-, or Sephadex G-10-adherent cell populations, in synergy with adherent Thy1.2− cells, are the major producers of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in T. congolense-infected mice. We further demonstrate the involvement of these cells in the suppression of T cell proliferative responses to mitogen and in B cell responses to a parasite-unrelated Ag.

Experimental Murine Trypanosoma congolense Infections. I. Administration of Anti-IFN-γ Antibodies Alters Trypanosome-Susceptible Mice to a Resistant-Like Phenotype

The mechanisms regulating resistance or susceptibility to African trypanosomes have been enigmatic. In this study, we assessed the production of several cytokines (IL-4, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) in vivo and in vitro using genetically susceptible (BALB/c) or resistant (C57BL/6) mice infected with cloned Trypanosoma congolense and the role of these cytokines in pathogenesis of this infection. Plasma of infected BALB/c mice contained higher levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ than the plasma of infected C57BL/6 mice. Conversely, plasma TNF-α levels were elevated significantly in the resistant mice relative to the susceptible ones. Splenic IFN-γ mRNA appeared earlier and were maintained at higher levels in infected BALB/c than in C57BL/6 mice. Both spontaneous and Con A-induced secretions of IL-4 and IFN-γ by splenocytes from infected BALB/c mice were significantly higher than those from their C57BL/6 counterparts. Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes from infected BALB/c mice was progressively suppressed. Nitric oxide was not involved in this suppression, but the suppression was positively correlated with IFN-γ secretion. Addition of neutralizing Abs to IFN-γ to cultures of Con A-stimulated spleen cells from infected BALB/c mice effectively reversed this suppression. Furthermore, administration of anti-IFN-γ Abs to BALB/c mice early during infection dramatically shifted the phenotype of these susceptible mice to a more resistant-like phenotype, as expressed by a low and undulating parasitemia and a >300% increase in survival period. These results strongly suggest that the enhanced induction and secretion of IFN-γ during T. congolense infections contribute to the relative susceptibility of BALB/c mice to the disease.