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. 1983 Jun;52(3):512–518.

In vitro induction of human helper T cell activity by Trypanosoma brucei.

M E Selkirk, S R Wilkins, B M Ogilvie, T A Platts-Mills
PMCID: PMC1536021  PMID: 6223728

Abstract

Proliferation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from unsensitized donors in response to fractions of Trypanosoma brucei was observed to be monocyte-dependent. The activated T cells displayed enhanced 'helper' activity, but no 'suppressor' activity during pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) synthesis, and were resistant to the inhibitory effects of theophylline on E rosette formation. Whilst in vivo studies have failed to reveal excessive T cell proliferation in patients with sleeping sickness, these results suggest a possible role for T cells in the induction of hypergammaglobulinaemia characteristic of this disease. Trypanosome fractions were not inhibitory to PWM-induced proliferation, and actually enhanced immunoglobulin synthesis. Thus it is unlikely that direct inhibition by the parasite per se is a major factor in the generation of immunosuppression by the T. brucei subgroup.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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