REACTIVITY AND CROSSREACTIVITY OF MOUSE HELPER T-CELLS TO MALARIA PARASITES

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (5) , 681-687
Abstract
The mouse helper T[thymus-derived]-cell response to 4 plasmodial and babesial parasites [Plasmodium yoelii, P. berghei, P. vinckei and Babesia microti] was measured by using them as carriers for a standard hapten (TNP [trinitrophenol]). Helper T cells appeared to recognize all the parasites, but they could not distinguish between them. Helper T-cell responses could be augmented by vaccination with formalin-fixed parasites. Vaccination did not always confer protection against infection. Mice resistant to infection because of prior recovery from a homologous or heterologous infection had normal or reduced helper T-cell responses. Resistance to infection with these parasites, though dependent on T cells, may not only involve the helper T-cell subpopulation.