Cryptosporidium parvum infection in T-cell receptor (TCR)-alpha- and TCR-delta-deficient mice

• Published in: Infection and Immunity 1996-05, Vol.64 (5), p.1854-1857
• Main Authors: Waters, W.R. (Metabolic Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, ARS, Ames, IA.), Harp, J.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Biological and medical sciences; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Chronic Disease; Cryptosporidiosis - immunology; Cryptosporidiosis - pathology; CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Immunobiology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Mutant Strains; Organs and cells involved in the immune response; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - deficiency; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - genetics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - deficiency; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - genetics
• ISSN: 0019-9567; 1098-5522
• DOI: 10.1128/iai.64.5.1854-1857.1996

Mice deficient in either alpha-beta or gamma- delta T cells were more susceptible to infection with the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum than were control mice. Both neonatal and adult alpha-beta-T-cell- deficient mice developed chronic infection. gamma-delta-T-cell-deficient neonatal mice were more susceptible than control mice but were able to clear the infection. Adult gamma-delta- T-cell-deficient mice were not susceptible to infection. These data indicate that alpha-beta T cells are important for resistance to C. parvum while gamma-delta T cells have a less critical role