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  • Title: The interaction of human T-lymphocytes and Entamoeba histolytica: killing of virulent amoebae by lectin-dependent lymphocytes.
    Author: Salata RA, Cox JG, Ravdin JI.
    Journal: Parasite Immunol; 1987 Mar; 9(2):249-61. PubMed ID: 2437517.
    Abstract:
    Clinical and experimental studies indicate that following invasive disease due to Entamoeba histolytica, development of human cell-mediated immune mechanisms may provide protective immunity. Activated, human monocyte-derived macrophages in vitro can kill virulent axaenic amoebic trophozoites. This study describes the interaction of lectin-stimulated T-lymphocytes and E. histolytica trophozoites (virulent strain HM1-IMSS). Amoebae progressively killed unstimulated nonimmune T-lymphocytes over 18 h incubation with no effect on amoebic viability. T-lymphocytes, stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), were progressively cytotoxic for virulent HMI amoebae over 18 h incubation, but were also reduced in viability themselves. Lymphocyte cytotoxicity for amoebae was absent if PHA was removed before or added only during the assay. PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes killed amoebae at cell ratios of lymphocytes to amoebae as low as 50:1 and cytotoxicity was antibody-independent. PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes, depleted of T8-bearing cells by complement-mediated lysis, were unable to kill amoebae. Adherence of PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes to amoebae was greater than with unstimulated T-lymphocytes. Inhibition of the amoebic adherence lectin with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine decreased lymphocyte-amoebic adherence and resulted in increased lymphocyte amoebicidal activity and lymphocyte survival. Suspension of amoebae with or without adherent PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes in a 10% dextran solution indicated that cytotoxicity was contact dependent. In summary, PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes of the T8-phenotype can kill virulent axaenic E. histolytica trophozoites through a contact-dependent, antibody-independent mechanism.
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