Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Ligands from Onchocerca volvulus Preferentially Stimulate the Human T Cell V + Subset
Open Access
- 1 December 1996
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 174 (6) , 1309-1315
- https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/174.6.1309
Abstract
Onchocerciasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. A minor population of human γδ T cells expressing Vδ1 chains is preferentially stimulated by O. volvulus ligands in vitro. Therefore, the nature of the parasite ligand and the effector functions of Vδ1+ T cells stimulated by O. volvulus was investigated. A 5- to 30-kDa ligand from the adult parasite lysate that is sensitive to proteinase treatment was identified. Presentation for preferential stimulation of Vδ+ T cells required processing. After in vitro stimulation with O. volvulus in the presence of interleukin-2, VBδ+ T cells produced interferon-γ but not interleukin-4 and exhibited NK cytolytic activities. It is concluded that somatic 5- to 30-kDa protein ligands from O. volvulus stimulate Vδ+ T cells and that Vδ+ T cells playa role in immunity to O. volvulus.Keywords
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