B-CELL OUTGROWTH AND LIGAND-SPECIFIC PRODUCTION OF IL-10 CORRELATE WITH TH2 DOMINANCE IN CERTAIN PARASITIC DISEASES

In many parasitic infections, dominant T helper cell (Th) type-2 CD4() T cell responses exacerbate the disease. We have previously demonstr ated that lacto-N-fucopentaose-III (LNFPIII), a sugar found on soluble egg antigens (SEA) of Schistosoma mansoni, stimulates splenic B cells from parasite-infected mice to proliferate and produce IL-10, a cytok ine that promotes the generation of Th2 immune responses. In the prese nt study, we extend our observations on ligand-specific activation of IL-10 producing B cells to leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis. We report here that infection with Leishmania major increases the splenic B220(+) B cell subset in BALB/c mice, but not BALB/c. rid (lacking B- 1 cells and carrying defective B-2 cells), In addition, these B cells secrete large amounts of IL-10 in vitro in response to stimulation wit h soluble leishmanial extract (LSE), LNFPIII, or SO4-Lewis(x). We also observed that injection of LSE increased the level of peritoneal exud ate (PeC) B-1 cells (CD5(+)B220(+)) in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, a s compared to buffer-injected controls. Further, LSE elicited PeC B ce lls secreted IL-10 in response to LSE as well as to the sugars tested. A similar differential secretion of IL-10 by splenic B cells from BAL B/c and BALB/c.xid was seen after S. mansoni infection. Likewise, inje ction of soluble microfilarial extract (MFX) resulted in an increase i n percentage of PeC B-1 cells in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, and the se cells secreted IL-10 in response to stimulation with MFX or phospho rylcholine (PC). Collectively, these results suggest a correlation bet ween expansion of ligand-specific IL-10 producing B and B-1 cells with dominance of Th2-type T cells in mice with the susceptible phenotype for these diseases. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.