| First Author | Harp JA | Year | 1996 |
| Journal | J Parasitol | Volume | 82 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 245-9 |
| PubMed ID | 8604091 | Mgi Jnum | J:33525 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:81004 | Citation | Harp JA, et al. (1996) Development of cellular immune functions in neonatal to weanling mice: relationship to Cryptosporidium parvum infection. J Parasitol 82(2):245-9 |
| abstractText | Lymphocyte phenotypes and cellular immune responses (blastogenesis and production of cytokines) to Cryptosporidium parvum were determined for spleen cells taken from BALB/c mice. These parameters were measured in mice at 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk of age, either exposed or not exposed to C. parvum in vivo. The percentage of T cells and the T-helper subset increased from weeks 2 to 4; B cells reached a peak percentage at 2 wk. Blastogenic responses were elevated at 1 wk and declined to a low level during weeks 2 to 4. Interferon-gamma production was maximal at 4 wk. No interleukin-5 production was seen. Data obtained were similar for cells from mice either exposed or not exposed to C. parvum in vivo. These data indicate that age-related changes, particularly the increased percentage of T cells and increased interferon-gamma production, are temporally related to the acquisition of resistance to colonization of mice with C. parvum. The data also indicate that these age-related changes occur in the absence of specific exposure to parasite antigens. |
