Regulation of Antigen-Induced Blastogenesis and Interleukin-2 Expression by Adherent Mononuclear Cells in Humans Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

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Abstract
The immune response and its regulation by adherent mononuclear cells were investigated in 39 Egyptians aged 13-30 (mean ± SD, 16.2 ± 3.6) with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection (fecal egg excretion, 40-2480 eggs/g; mean, 709 ± 612). Blastogenesis and production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a significant correlation when streptolysin O but not when soluble worm antigenic preparation (SWAP) was used as stimulus. This suggested independent regulation of these responses to SWAP. Thirteen subjects showed SWAP-restricted suppression of blastogenesis but not IL-2 production by adherent cells. Compared with 24 other S. mansoni-infected subjects, they had depressed blastogenic responses to SWAP but comparable SWAP-induced IL-2 production and responsiveness to exogenous IL-2. This study indicates that IL-2 production is not the site of action of parasite antigen-restricted suppressor adherent cells in chronic S. mansoni infection.