Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii antigens are superantigens in mice. To investigate a superantigen effect in humans, lymphocytes from T. gondii-seronegative subjects were studied for proliferation to T. gondii antigens (TA). Marked cellular proliferation, predominantly of CD4+ lymphocytes, was apparent. TA elicited expansions of Vβ-bearing lymphocytes in all subjects, but different Vβ-bearing lymphocytes were expanded in different subjects in both CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations. Cord blood cells also proliferated to TA. Previously fixed antigen-presenting cells were unable to present TA. Thus, T. gondii appears to produce a molecule(s) that induces polyclonal activation of human T cells and requires antigen processing to mediate this effect. That T. gondii does not appear to behave as a superantigen in humans is important in understanding the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised hosts and in the design of anti-T. gondii vaccines.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 746-753 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 177 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Infectious Diseases