Human infection with Toxoplasma gondii is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent adults while it causes significant morbidity in congenitally infected children. Cell mediated immunity plays the main role in host resistance to T. gondii infection and a Th1 cytokine profile is necessary for protection and control of infection. The present work focused on comparing the helper T cell response to the GRA1 antigen of the parasite between children with congenital toxoplasmosis and healthy adults with acquired infection. We demonstrated that in young children with congenital infection the specific T cell response to parasite antigens is impaired and that such hypo-responsiveness is restored during childhood. Also, we provided clear evidence that in individuals with congenital toxoplasmosis the acquisition of functional helper T cell responses is disease-unrelated and indistinguishable in terms of strength, epitope specificity, and cytokine profile from the corresponding responses in immunocompetent adults with asymptomatic acquired T. gondii infection. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Age-dependent impairment of functional helper T cell responses to immunodominant epitopes of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in congenitally infected individuals / Guglietta, Silvia; Elisa, Beghetto; Andrea, Spadoni; Wilma, Buffolano; DEL PORTO, Paola; Nicola, Gargano. - In: MICROBES AND INFECTION. - ISSN 1286-4579. - 9:2(2007), pp. 127-133. [10.1016/j.micinf.2006.10.017]

Age-dependent impairment of functional helper T cell responses to immunodominant epitopes of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in congenitally infected individuals

GUGLIETTA, SILVIA;DEL PORTO, Paola;
2007

Abstract

Human infection with Toxoplasma gondii is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent adults while it causes significant morbidity in congenitally infected children. Cell mediated immunity plays the main role in host resistance to T. gondii infection and a Th1 cytokine profile is necessary for protection and control of infection. The present work focused on comparing the helper T cell response to the GRA1 antigen of the parasite between children with congenital toxoplasmosis and healthy adults with acquired infection. We demonstrated that in young children with congenital infection the specific T cell response to parasite antigens is impaired and that such hypo-responsiveness is restored during childhood. Also, we provided clear evidence that in individuals with congenital toxoplasmosis the acquisition of functional helper T cell responses is disease-unrelated and indistinguishable in terms of strength, epitope specificity, and cytokine profile from the corresponding responses in immunocompetent adults with asymptomatic acquired T. gondii infection. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
2007
cellular immunity; congenital toxoplasmosis; recombinant antigens; toxoplasma gondii
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Age-dependent impairment of functional helper T cell responses to immunodominant epitopes of Toxoplasma gondii antigens in congenitally infected individuals / Guglietta, Silvia; Elisa, Beghetto; Andrea, Spadoni; Wilma, Buffolano; DEL PORTO, Paola; Nicola, Gargano. - In: MICROBES AND INFECTION. - ISSN 1286-4579. - 9:2(2007), pp. 127-133. [10.1016/j.micinf.2006.10.017]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/362880
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