Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Mice Treated with Silk Protein by Enhanced Immune Responses.
10.3347/kjp.2011.49.3.303
- Author:
Joung Ho MOON
1
;
Kyoung Ho PYO
;
Bong Kwang JUNG
;
Hyang Sook CHUN
;
Jong Yil CHAI
;
Eun Hee SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 110-799, Korea. ehshin@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii;
cellular immunity;
silk protein;
resistance;
immunosuppression
- MeSH:
Animals;
Bombyx/*chemistry;
CD4-CD8 Ratio;
Cell Proliferation;
Cells, Cultured;
Cytokines/secretion;
Insect Proteins/*immunology;
Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology;
Male;
Mice;
Mice, Inbred BALB C;
Silk/immunology;
Spleen/immunology;
Survival Analysis;
Toxoplasma/*immunology/pathogenicity;
Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology/*prevention & control
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2011;49(3):303-308
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study investigated whether elevated host immune capacity can inhibit T. gondii infection. For this purpose, we used silk protein extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons as a natural supplement to augment immune capacity. After silk protein administration to BALB/c mice for 6 weeks, ratios of T lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells) and splenocyte proliferative capacities in response to Con A or T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA) were increased. Of various cytokines, which regulate immune systems, Th1 cytokines, such as IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-12, were obviously increased in splenocyte primary cell cultures. Furthermore, the survival of T. gondii (RH strain)-infected mice increased from 2 days to 5 or more days. In a state of immunosuppression induced by methylprednisolone acetate, silk protein-administered mice were resistant to reduction in T-lymphocyte (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells) numbers and the splenocyte proliferative capacity induced by Con A or TLA with a statistical significance. Taken together, our results suggest that silk protein augments immune capacity in mice and the increased cellular immunity by silk protein administration increases host protection against acute T. gondii infection.
