Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces changes in the proportion of CD4+FoxP3+ thymic and peripheral cells.

FERNANDEZ BUZZI, RODRIGO; VILLAR, SILVINA; MANARIN, ROMINA; MARTIN, GAELLE; GONZ¨¢LEZ, FLORENCIA; PIAGGIO, ELIANE; COHEN, JOSE; BOTTASSO, OSCAR; PEREZ, ANA ROSA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; IX Congreso Argenatino de Protozoología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; 2011

Regulatory CD4+FoxP3+ T cells (Treg) develop in the thymus and control inflammatory response during autoimmune and infectious processes. This population plays antagonistic roles during parasitic infections, promoting the survival of either the host or the microorganism. Since infection with T. cruzi (Tc) affects primary and secondary lymphoid organs; i.e., the thymus where Treg cells originate, we investigated the phenotype of Treg cells in two mouse strains with different degrees of susceptibility to acute T, cruzi infection (C57BL/6 strain -B6- has 100% mortality, whereas 30% of BALB/ c survive and evolve to the chronic phase). Data from flow cytometry studies in thymus (median/range 3-6 mice/group) showed a baseline rate of Treg slightly larger in BALB/c mice than in B6 [(%), B6-Co 4.1/(5.2-4.5) BALB/c-Co 6.4/(6.9-6.1) p