Figure 2
Parasite-specific mesenteric lymph node Th2 and Th17 responses are elevated while Th1 responses are suppressed in infected mice. MLN cells from either naive (shown here as day 0) or infected mice at days 3, 14, and 35 were stimulated in vitro for 48 h with soluble amebic extract (SAE). Cytokines produced in the culture supernatant were assessed. (a–c) Compared to unchallenged naive controls (day 0), MLN cells from infected mice produced hundreds to thousands of folds more IL-4, IL-13, and IL-17 in response to SAE during the course of infection (fold changes shown at each data point). In contrast, the production of (d) IFN-γ by lymphocytes from infected mice rapidly declined to the naive level after a transient increase at day 3. (e) IL-2 production was also elevated and (f) a three- to ninefold increase in IL-10 production was found during infection. Data are expressed as mean±s.e.m. n=8 (day 3), 8 (day 14), 10 (day 35), and 5 (naive control). *P<0.05 compared to naive controls. MLN, mesenteric lymph node.
