Cytokine profile in murine toxoplasmosis

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate which cytokines are produced after acute infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii (T. Gondii) RH strain.MethodsMus domesticus domesticus mice in infected group were inoculated with with highly virulent T. Gondii RH strain by intraperitoneally. Serum samples were obtained from infected and non-infected mice for cytokine levels for ELISA assay.ResultsThe concentrations of tumor necrosis factor–α, interferon–γ, interleukin (IL)–10 and IL–12 in the cardiac blood sample of the infected mice were significantly higher than those in uninfected controls (P<0.05). The levels of transforming growth factor–1β decreased in mice infected with T. gondii compared to those of the controls, the decrease was statistically significant (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in levels of IL–4 between infected and healty control groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsAccording to our findings, immune response into T helper type 1 was predominant during acute T. gondii infection. Further characterization and purification of Toxoplasma molecule(s) implicated in the regulation of cytokines could lead to the development of new drug prospects to control Toxoplasma infection