Regulation of parasite antigen-driven immune responses by interleukin- 10 (IL-10) and IL-12 in lymphatic filariasis

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms by which interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulates antigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in asymptomatic microfilaremic (MF) individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MF individuals (n = 11) were stimulated in vitro with Brugia malayi antigen (BMA) or mycobacterial purified protein derivative (PPD) in the presence of neutralizing anti-IL-10 or isotype control monoclonal antibodies. As expected, BMA stimulated little or no gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion in MF individuals, whereas PPD stimulated IFN-γ in all but one. Neutralization of endogenous BMA-driven IL-10 secretion led to augmentation of IFN-γ in seven of nine MF individuals (1.5- to 10-fold) and did s..