The roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in genetic resistance of mice to Trypanosoma congolense infection
Description
[Synopsis]
To extend observations on the roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in murine genetic resistance to trypanosomiasis, TNFα-gene knockout mice (on a C57BL/6 background) and C57BL/6 wild-type mice were infected with Trypanosoma congolense IL 1180. As reported previously, TNFα-deficient mice are highly susceptible to T. congolense infection with a mean survival time of 35 days in this study, while the wild-type mice had a mean survival time of 91 days. TNFα-deficient mice showed significantly higher parasitaemia levels than the wild-type mice and they also failed to develop germinal centers in the peripheral lymphoid organs. However, production of T. congolense -specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG was similar in the two mouse strains. Hepatic acute phase proteins, including ceruloplasmin, α1-acid glycoprotein and serum amyloid P were induced similarly in knockout and wild-type mice. These findings indicate that TNFα contributes to control of parasitaemia during experimental T. congolense infection in mice. Further studies will be needed to determine whether TNFα controls T. congolense parasitaemia in mice directly or indirectly.
- Affiliation
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Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Animal Production and Grassland Division
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International Livestock Research Institute
- Classification
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Technical A
- Term of research
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FY2000 (FY1997-1999)
- Responsible researcher
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KITANI Hiroshi ( Animal Production and Grassland Division )
- ほか
- Japanese PDF
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2000_18_A3_ja.pdf716.11 KB