Antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

SummaryThis paper describes in vitro antibody dependent cytotoxicity against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by normal mouse splenic lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity was expressed as the percentage reduction in the number of motile parasites upon incubation with lymphocytes at 37 °C in a denned medium. Failure of the non-motile parasites to regain motility and their ensuring degeneration at 28 °C in liver infusion tryptose (LIT) medium confirmed loss of motility as a criterion of cytotoxicity. Incubation of T. cruzi at 37 °C for 18 h in a defined medium per se did not interfere with motility but was followed by a lag phase of the growth curve in LIT medium at 28 °C. The lag phase was prolonged for T. cruzi which had previously been incubated at 37 °C in the absence of cells.