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  • Title: Cytokine production and phenotype of Histomonas meleagridis-specific T cells in the chicken.
    Author: Lagler J, Mitra T, Schmidt S, Pierron A, Vatzia E, Stadler M, Hammer SE, Mair KH, Grafl B, Wernsdorf P, Rauw F, Lambrecht B, Liebhart D, Gerner W.
    Journal: Vet Res; 2019 Dec 05; 50(1):107. PubMed ID: 31806018.
    Abstract:
    The protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of the re-emerging disease histomonosis of chickens and turkeys. Due to the parasite's extracellular occurrence, a type-2 differentiation of H. meleagridis-specific T cells has been hypothesized. In contrast, a recent study suggested that IFN-γ mRNA+ cells are involved in protection against histomonosis. However, the phenotype and cytokine production profile of H. meleagridis-specific T cells still awaits elucidation. In this work, clonal cultures of a virulent monoxenic strain of H. meleagridis were used for infecting chickens to detect IFN-γ protein and IL-13 mRNA by intracellular cytokine staining and PrimeFlow™ RNA Assays, respectively, in CD4+ and CD8β+ T cells. Infection was confirmed by characteristic pathological changes in the cecum corresponding with H. meleagridis detection by immunohistochemistry and H. meleagridis-specific antibodies in serum. In splenocytes stimulated either with H. meleagridis antigen or PMA/ionomycin, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells from infected chickens increased in comparison to cells from non-infected birds 2 weeks and 5 weeks post-infection. Additionally, an increase of IFN-γ-producing CD4-CD8β- cells upon H. meleagridis antigen and PMA/ionomycin stimulation was detected. Contrariwise, frequencies of IL-13 mRNA-expressing cells were low even after PMA/ionomycin stimulation and mainly had a CD4-CD8β- phenotype. No clear increase of IL-13+ cells related to H. meleagridis infection could be found. In summary, these data suggest that H. meleagridis infection induces a type-1 differentiation of CD4+ T cells but also of non-CD4+ cells. This phenotype could include γδ T cells, which will be addressed in future studies.
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