KINETIC-STUDY OF EOSINOPHIL CHEMOTACTIC FACTOR PRODUCTION WITH REFERENCE TO EOSINOPHILIA AND GRANULOMA-FORMATION IN MICE INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA-JAPONICUM

Owhashi M., Maruyama H. & Nawa Y. 1996. Kinetic study of eosinophil ch emotactic factor production with reference to eosinophilia and granulo ma formation in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Internationa l Journal for Parasitology 26: 705-711. Kinetic changes of eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) production from granulomas, splenic T-cells o r mast cells were examined with reference to granuloma formation aroun d newly deposited single eggs in Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice. The peri-ovular granulomas began to appear at around 5 weeks post-infe ction (p.i.), Their size reached a peak at 6 weeks and then decreased gradually. Up to 8 weeks p.i., eosinophils were the predominant cell t ype in the granulomas, EGF-release from isolated granulomas paralleled the size of granulomas, Circulating EGF-A, which was assumed to be de rived from mast cells, was also detected 6 weeks afterwards in paralle l with the level of specific IgE antibody level against egg antigens i n the serum. The circulating EGF-A peaked at 8 weeks and decreased aft er 10 weeks. Spleen cells began to produce ECF specific to bone-marrow eosinophils began at 5 weeks p.i., reached a peak at 6 weeks and then decreased rapidly. On the other hand, the production of ECF specific to eosinophils obtained from the peritoneal cavity began at 6 weeks an d decreased rapidly thereafter. These results suggest that various kin ds of host-derived EGFs seem to contribute, in one way or an other, to the accumulation of eosinophils in and around granulomatous lesions. The possible role of these EGFs in eosinophil mobilization from the si te of production to the inflamed site is discussed. Copyright (C) 1996 Australian Society for Parasitology.