Changes of CD4~+CD25~+ T Cells in the Spleen of Mice Infected with Toxoplasma gondii / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the spleen of mice infected with T.gondii. Methods Twenty-eight female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups of mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 104 tachyzoites in 200 ?l sterile PBS. At 2, 4 and 6 days post-infection, the spleens were removed. The expression level of Foxp3 mRNA in splenic CD4+ T cells was quantitated by real-time PCR. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in CD4+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry, and the absolute numbers of splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and CD4+ T cells were assessed. The fourth group was injected intraperitoneally with 200 ?l sterile PBS as control. Results The relative mRNA level of Foxp3 in splenic CD4+ T cells at day 4 (1.89?0.23) and day 6 (1.79?0.24) post-infection was significantly higher than control (1.00?0.12)(P