Cytokine control of parasite-specific anergy in human lymphatic filariasis preferential induction of a regulatory T helper type 2 lymphocyte subset

Abstract

The iminunological mechanisms involved in maintenance of an asymptomatic microfilaremic state (MF) in patients with lymphatic filariasis remain undefined. MF patients have impaired filarial antigen (Ag)-specific lymphocyte proliferation and decreased frequencies (Fo) of Ag-specific T cells, and yet elevated serum IgE and antifilarial IgG4. To investigate the mechanism of Ag-specific anergy in MF patients in contrast to amicrofilaremic individuals with chronic lymphatic obstruction (CP), the Fo of Ag-specific lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells secreting either IL-4 or IFN-γ were assessed by filter spot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and IL-10 and transforming growth facto..