IP-10 Is Critical for Effector T Cell Trafficking and Host Survival in Toxoplasma gondii Infection

AbstractThe generation of an adaptive immune response against intracellular pathogens requires the recruitment of effector T cells to sites of infection. Here we show that the chemokine IP-10, a specific chemoattractant for activated T cells, controls this process in mice naturally infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Neutralization of IP-10 in infected mice inhibited the massive influx of T cells into tissues and impaired antigen-specific T cell effector functions. This resulted in >1000-fold increase in tissue parasite burden and a marked increase in mortality compared to control antibody–treated mice. These observations suggest that IP-10 may play a broader role in the localization and function of effector T cells at sites of Th1 inflammation