Regulation of host immune cells and cytokine production induced by Trichinella spiralis infection

Abstract

The nematode Trichinella spiralis can cause immunoregulation during the early phase of infection. However, previous studies are still insufficient for a full understanding of this phenomenon and its underlying mechanism. In this study, immune cells and cytokine profiles of T. spiralis infected mice were examined by Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) and flow cytometry. The MSD results of the spleen showed that Th1 immunity was inhibited from 6 h to 6 days post-infection (dpi) and the level of Th2 immune response was significantly increased at 6 dpi. The mesenteric lymph node showed a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response from 3 dpi to 6 dpi with a downtrend of Th1 at 6 dpi. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of Th1 cells of T cells was decreased significantly at 6 h after infection, the proportion of Th2 cells was markedly increased, indicating that Th1 immunity was significantly inhibited at 6 h after infection, and a hybrid immune response based on Th2 type was presented from 30 h to 6 dpi. The immunoregulation effects observed during this study have provided a better understanding of the development of the immune response induced by Trichinella infection.