Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-2-4
pubmed:abstractText
In order to evaluate the role of CD8+ T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-deficient mice of C57BL/6 background lacking functional CD4+ T cells were infected with Leishmania major. In contrast to C57BL/6 wild-type mice which are resistant to infection with L. major, these mice developed severe skin lesions that did not heal. In comparison to susceptible BALB/c mice, however, lesion development in MHC class II-deficient mice was very much retarded, even though the increase in the parasite load in lymphoid organs was only slightly delayed. Lymph node cells from L. major-infected MHC class II-deficient mice produced very low levels of interferon-gamma upon stimulation with L. major antigen, whereas the response to the mitogen concanavalin A was not impaired. Interestingly, they did not release lymphokines associated with disease exacerbation (interleukin 4 and interleukin 10) either, suggesting that the delayed lesion development is caused by the lack of disease-promoting CD4+ cells rather than by the presence of protective CD8+ cells. The lack of L. major-reactive immunoglobulins in the serum of infected MHC class II-deficient mice indicates that B cells also cannot respond to parasite antigens in the absence of MHC class II-mediated helper signals. The data demonstrate that MHC class II-deficient mice are unable to restrict the spreading of L. major, although they contain highly increased proportions of CD8+ T cells. Thus, MHC class II-restricted immune responses, most likely mediated by functional CD4+ T cells, are essential for the control of primary infections with L. major.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
0171-2985
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
195
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
243-60
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Leishmania major infection in major histocompatibility complex class II-deficient mice: CD8+ T cells do not mediate a protective immune response.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't