Modulation of immunity in mice with latent toxoplasmosis-the experimental support for the immunosuppression hypothesis of Toxoplasma-induced changes in reproduction of mice and humans

0355306 - ÚMG 2011 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Kaňková, Š. - Holáň, V. - Zajícová, Alena - Kodym, P. - Flegr, J.
Modulation of immunity in mice with latent toxoplasmosis-the experimental support for the immunosuppression hypothesis of Toxoplasma-induced changes in reproduction of mice and humans.
Parasitology Research. Roč. 107, č. 2010 (2010), s. 1421-1427. ISSN 0932-0113. E-ISSN 1432-1955
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50520514
Keywords : sex ratio * manipulation * women
Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology
Impact factor: 1.812, year: 2010

The immunosuppression hypothesis suggests that the increased sex ratio in mice and women with latent toxoplasmosis, retarded embryonic growth in the early phases of pregnancy, prolonged pregnancy of Toxoplasma-infected women, and increased prevalence of toxoplasmosis in mothers of children with Down syndrome can be explained by the presumed immunosuppressive effects of latent toxoplasmosis. Here, we searched for indices of immunosuppression in mice experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Our results showed that mice in the early phase of latent infection exhibited temporarily increased production of interleukin (IL)-12 and decreased production of IL-10. In accordance with the immunosuppression hypothesis, the mice showed decreased production of IL-2 and nitric oxide and decreased proliferation reaction (synthesis of DNA) in the mixed lymphocyte culture in the early and also in the late phases of latent toxoplasmosis.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0194112