Interferon-gamma- and perforin-mediated immune responses for resistance against Toxoplasma gondii in the brain.
Expert Rev Mol Med
; 13: e31, 2011 Oct 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22005272
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes various diseases, including lymphadenitis, congenital infection of fetuses and life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-mediated immune responses are essential for controlling tachyzoite proliferation during both acute acquired infection and reactivation of infection in the brain. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produce this cytokine in response to infection, although the latter has more potent protective activity. IFN-γ can activate microglia, astrocytes and macrophages, and these activated cells control the proliferation of tachyzoites using different molecules, depending on cell type and host species. IFN-γ also has a crucial role in the recruitment of T cells into the brain after infection by inducing expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 on cerebrovascular endothelial cells, and chemokines such as CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL5. A recent study showed that CD8+ T cells are able to remove T. gondii cysts, which represent the stage of the parasite in chronic infection, from the brain through their perforin-mediated activity. Thus, the resistance to cerebral infection with T. gondii requires a coordinated network using both IFN-γ- and perforin-mediated immune responses. Elucidating how these two protective mechanisms function and collaborate in the brain against T. gondii will be crucial in developing a new method to prevent and eradicate this parasitic infection.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Toxoplasma
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Encéfalo
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Interferon gama
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Toxoplasmose Cerebral
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Perforina
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Imunidade Inata
Limite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article