Immunopathology of human schistosomiasis mansoni: II. NK activity and stimulation by specific antigen

Authors

  • L. K. Benarroch Central University; the Tropical Medicine and Pathology Institutes; Center for Clinical Immunology
  • O. Noya Central University; the Tropical Medicine and Pathology Institutes; Center for Clinical Immunology
  • B. Noya Central University; the Tropical Medicine and Pathology Institutes; Center for Clinical Immunology
  • N. E. Bianco Central University; the Tropical Medicine and Pathology Institutes; Center for Clinical Immunology
  • I. Blanca Central University; the Tropical Medicine and Pathology Institutes; Center for Clinical Immunology

Keywords:

Natural Killer cells (NK), S. mansoni

Abstract

Sixteen S. mansoni infected and untreated patients (5 with recent infection and 11 with chronic disease) were evaluated for their in vitro natural killer (NK) activity against the NK sensitive target K562 cell line. NK levels in 9 out of 11 patients (82%) with chronic disease were significantly lower (mean = 15 ± 6%),compared with patients recently infected (mean = 41 ± 9% p < 0.001) and with the control group (mean = 38 ± 13% p < 0.001). However, both patients and controls NK activity was stimulated by soluble adult worm antigens (SAWA), indicating that NK function even in the chronic stage of the infection is able to respond to the parasite antigens. These results suggest the possibility of NK cell participation as effector mechanism against S. mansoni.

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Published

1988-12-01

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 6 (1988)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Benarroch, L. K., Noya, O., Noya, B., Bianco, N. E., & Blanca, I. (1988). Immunopathology of human schistosomiasis mansoni: II. NK activity and stimulation by specific antigen . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 30(6), 400-405. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/28617