Abstract |
In Schistosoma mansoni infection, CD4 T cells specific for parasite egg antigens mediate perioval granuloma formation in the liver and intestines. Mice of the CBA strain develop a severe form of disease and a significant proportion of their CD4 T cell response is directed against the major egg antigen Sm-p40 and its immunodominant T cell epitope peptide 234-246. Here, we show that intranasal (i.n.) treatment of infected CBA mice with a fusion protein of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) with peptide 234-246 (CTB::pep) results in significant down-modulation of hepatic granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, egg antigen-stimulated dispersed hepatic granuloma cells, as well as mesenteric lymph node CD4 T cells from the CTB::pep-treated mice, produced significantly more transforming growth factor ( TGF)-beta than that produced by treated or untreated controls. The data demonstrate that i.n. administration of a single immunodominant peptide conjugated to CTB can lead to down-regulation of the hepatic immunopathology associated with schistosomiasis, and that this down-regulation is, at least in part, mediated by TGF-beta.
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Authors | Hector J Hernandez, Laura I Rutitzky, Mike Lebens, Jan Holmgren, Miguel J Stadecker |
Journal | Parasite immunology
(Parasite Immunol)
Vol. 24
Issue 8
Pg. 423-7
(Aug 2002)
ISSN: 0141-9838 [Print] England |
PMID | 12406196
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Antigens, Helminth
- Helminth Proteins
- Immunodominant Epitopes
- Peptide Fragments
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
- cholera toxin B-immunodominant peptide conjugate (234-246)
- p40 egg antigen, Schistosoma
- Cholera Toxin
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Topics |
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Antigens, Helminth
(administration & dosage, immunology)
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
(immunology, metabolism)
- Cholera Toxin
(administration & dosage, immunology)
- Granuloma
(immunology)
- Helminth Proteins
- Immunodominant Epitopes
(chemistry, immunology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Peptide Fragments
(administration & dosage, immunology)
- Schistosoma mansoni
(immunology, pathogenicity)
- Schistosomiasis mansoni
(immunology, microbiology, pathology)
- Snails
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
(biosynthesis)
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