Identification of a Role for NF-κB2 in the Regulation of Apoptosis and in Maintenance of T Cell-Mediated Immunity toToxoplasma gondii

• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.10.5720
• Publication Date: 2014-04-22T03:07:29Z
• Authors: Jorge Caamaño; Cristina Tato; Guifang Cai; Eric N. Villegas; Kendra Speirs; Linden Craig; James Alexander; Christopher A. Hu...
• Keywords: Intracellular parasite

Abstract The NF-κB family of transcription factors are involved in the regulation innate and adaptive immune functions associated with resistance to infection. To assess role NF-κB2 cell-mediated immunity, mice deficient gene (NF-κB2−/−) were challenged intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Resistance this opportunistic pathogen is dependent on production IL-12, which required for development NK cell T responses dominated by IFN-γ necessary control replication parasite. Although wild-type controls resistant T. gondii, NF-κB2−/− developed severe toxoplasmic encephalitis succumbed disease between 3 10 wk following However, was not ability macrophages produce IL-12 or inhibit during acute stage infection, had no defect their infection-induced appeared normal. In contrast, chronic phase susceptibility a reduced capacity splenocytes loss CD4+ CD8+ cells. This cells correlated increased levels apoptosis elevated expression pro-apoptotic molecule Fas from infected mice. Together, these results suggest lymphocyte unique factor maintenance long-term