A comparison of local and peripheral parasite-specific antibody production in different strains of mice infected with Trichuris muris

Parasite Immunol. 2002 Apr;24(4):203-11. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.2002.00452.x.

Abstract

The serum parasite-specific antibody responses of different mouse strains infected with Trichuris muris reflect the nature of the T-helper response mounted by the host, in that resistant Th2-responding strains, such as BALB/K, produce immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and susceptible predominantly Th1-responding strains, such as AKR, produce IgG2a and IgG1. However, the kinetics of antibody production in the sera, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, do not reflect infection status in that resistant strains can expel their worm burdens before antibodies are detectable in the sera. Here, we show that parasite-specific antibody production by in vitro lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mesenteric lymph node cells (MLN) not only correlate with serum antibody isotypes, but also follow expulsion kinetics. Additionally, the antibody levels seen locally match changes in absolute B220+ cell numbers in the MLN (determined by flow cytometry) and changes in MLN parasite-specific plasma cells in the MLN (determined by ELISPOT). These results show that B cell responses are tightly regulated locally in both resistant and susceptible strains of mice infected with T. muris.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / biosynthesis*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mesentery / anatomy & histology
  • Mesentery / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Species Specificity
  • Trichuriasis / immunology*
  • Trichuriasis / parasitology
  • Trichuris / immunology*
  • Trichuris / parasitology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G