The role of memory T cells in Echinococcus granulosus‐induced sensitization

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the changes in memory T cells and the related factors in mice by the establishment of a BALB/c mouse model of Echinococcus granulosus‐induced sensitization.MethodsA sensitized BALB/c mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of E. granulosus. A control group (CTRL), a nonsensitized group infected with E. granulosus (CE), and a sensitized group infected with E. granulosus (ANPC) were set up. The pathological changes in lung tissue in mice, the change in memory T cells (CD4 Tm), and the change in peripheral blood nucleated interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) were detected using HE staining, flow cytometry, and liquid‐phase multiple protein quantification techniques, respectively.ResultsThe individual percentage of mouse memory T cells was 9.14 ± 0.45, 25.23 ± 0.17, and 13.29 ± 0.32 in the CTRL, CE, and ANPC groups, respectively. The percentage of memory T cells in the ANPC group was higher than that in the CTRL group (t = 18.410, p < .001) but lower than that in the CE group (t = −80.147, p < .001). The levels of IL‐23 in peripheral blood of mice in the CTRL, CE, and ANPC groups were 225.76 ± 27.16, 359.21 ± 28.67, and 215.69 ± 22.69, respectively. The level of IL‐23 in peripheral blood of mice in the ANPC group was lower than that in the CE group (t = 9.609, p < .001), and there was no statistical difference with the CTRL group (t = 0.697, p = .502).ConclusionIn the BALB/c mouse model of E. granulosus‐induced sensitization, the expression of IL‐23 in peripheral blood increased, and the memory T cell proliferated and became activated; there was a decrease in the content of IL‐23 in peripheral blood and number of activated memory T cells in the sensitization group infected with E. granulosus. The E. granulosus‐induced allergic reaction was related to IL‐23 and the activation of memory T cells.