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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #57052
Title: ROLE OF CD8+ INTRAEPITHELIAL LYMPHOCYTES IN SPOROZOITE TRANSPORT AND CYTOTOXICITY IN EIMERIA ACERVULINA INFECTION IN CHICKENS

Author
item Lillehoj, Hyun
item TROUT J M - 1265-20-00

Submitted to: International Immunology Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sporozoites of Eimeria acervulina invade preferentially CD8+ lymphocytes in duodenum shortly following oral infection. Subsequently, sporozoites are transported by these cells into crypt epithelium where they undergo intracellular development. Following secondary infection, significant increase in the number of CD8+ cells are seen in duodenum. Many of CD8+ cells are in direct contact with developing meront in epithelial cells which express class 1 MHC antigen. These results suggest that CD8+ cells mediate class 1 MHC-antigen restricted cytotoxicity against parasite-infected host cells. Furthermore, depletion of CD8+, but not CD4+ T cells enhanced the severity of infection to Eimeria. These results provide strong evidence that CD8+ T cells mediate host immunity to Eimeria parasites in chickens.