Modulowanie odpowiedzi immunologicznej przez inwazje pasożytnicze

The objective of the study was the phenotypic characteristics of thymocytes and T-lymphocytes and the evaluation of T cell function in the course of experimental trichinellosis in mice. It was found that the cortical part of the thymus was significantly diminished and the expression of Thy, Ly1 and Ly2 antigens were decreased during the intestinal phase of the parasitic invasion. Simultaneously, the increase of Thy⁺ bearing cells was observed in peripheral lymphatic tissue (spleen and lymph nodes) during this and the next early muscular phase of the invasion of T. spiralis. The expression of L3T4 and Ly2 antigens was also higher than or at least the same as in the control animals. The results of the evaluation of T lymphocytes reactivity show that the parasitic invasion results in changes in cellular immunity as was demonstrated by GvH reactions. These changes are dependent on both the intensity of the parasitic invasion and the phase of infection. The possible mechanisms of the modulation (stimulation or inhibition) of host immunity were discussed.