Echinococcus granulosus‐specific T‐cell lines derived from patients at various clinical stages of cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

To investigate the role of T lymphocytes in the immune response to Echinococcus granulosus, using sheep hydatid fluid (SHF) and antigen B (AgB), we generated T-cell lines from patients with active, transitional and inactive hydatid cysts. We established 16 T-cell lines, eight specific to SHF and eight specific to AgB. At surface phenotyping 88-98% of cells displayed the helper/inducer CD4 antigen. In all patients, at all clinical stages of hydatid cyst disease, T-cell stimulation with SHF and AgB invariably amplified a large number of almost identical Vbeta subfamily fragments. Irrespective of antigen-specificity, the two cell lines from the patient with an inactive cyst had a Th1 profile, because they exclusively expressed and produced IFN-gamma. Conversely, the T-cell lines derived from the seven patients with active and transitional hydatid cysts had mixed Th1/Th2 and Th0 clones. The functional characteristics of the 16 T-cell lines differed markedly in the various clinical stages of cystic echinococcosis, thus providing new in vitro evidence that Th1 lymphocytes contribute decisively to the inactive stage of hydatid disease, Th2 lymphocytes in the active and transitional stages. The parasite-specific T-cell lines, especially the two Th1 lines from the patient with an inactive cyst, may help identify Th1 protective epitopes on SHF and AgB.

Efficiency Evaluation of Immunization Protocol with Echinococcus Granulosus Antigen B (Agb)

“…Humoral and cellular responses characterized by elevation in some serum antibodies and cytokines [14,15]. Present data indiated that immunized rabbits showed elevated IgG and IL-10 level and decreased IFN-γ level in comparing with control group after two months of immunization with AgB.…”

“…Rigano et al [26] were implicated that in the different stages of hydatid disease, Th2 cells express IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 and they are associated with susceptibility to the disease, whereas Th1 cells produce IL-2, IFN-γ and they are related to protective immunity [8,22]. The evaluation of IL-10 could increase hydatid cyst survival and growth since IL-10 inhibits effector cellular immune response via its potent anti-inflammatory action [27].…”

Innovative chemotherapeutical treatment options for alveolar and cystic echinococcosis

“…The generation of T cell lines from patients exhibiting different courses of disease (harbouring active, transitional or inactive cysts) and subsequent stimulation of these cells with hydatid fluid and/ ?or ? a defined E. granulosus antigen (AgB) has also shown that Th1 cells contribute to the inactive stage of hydatid disease, whereas Th2 cells have been shown to be more important in the active and transitional stages (Rigano et al 2004). Interestingly, patients undergoing chemotherapy with benzimidazoles exhibited a more pronounced Th1 cytokine profile, reflecting the regression of the metacestode (Rigano et al 1995).…”

Effect of two hydatid cyst antigens on the growth of melanoma cancer in C57/black mice

“…Hydatid cyst fluid, cyst membrane and protoscoleces have a complex mixture of antigens which stimulate the immune system (Kagan and Norman 1961). So one of the features of hydatid cyst is stimulation of cellular and humoral defense immune system (Rigano et al 2004).…”