T cell surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii: Basic insights into how T cells operate in the central nervous system

Lindsey A Shallberg; Christopher A Hunter

doi:10.1016/j.conb.2022.102640

T cell surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii: Basic insights into how T cells operate in the central nervous system

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2022 Dec:77:102640. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102640. Epub 2022 Oct 11.

Authors

Lindsey A Shallberg¹, Christopher A Hunter²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Hill Pavilion, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
² Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Hill Pavilion, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 36240583
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102640

Abstract

The ability of T cells to operate in the central nervous system (CNS) is required for resistance to multiple pathogens that affect this tissue. The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii has evolved to persist in the CNS and poses unique challenges to the immune system with the need to control parasite replication while balancing the adverse pathology associated with local inflammation. This article reviews the models used to study the response to T. gondii during toxoplasmic encephalitis and highlights some of the broader lessons that are relevant to understanding how T cells function in the CNS.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System / pathology
Humans
Inflammation
T-Lymphocytes / pathology
Toxoplasma*
Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral* / pathology