Upregulation of the chemokines Rantes, MCP-1, MIP-1a and MIP-2 in early infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and inhibition by sympathetic denervation of the spleen

We examined the induction of 4 chemokines during early experimental African trypanosomiasis using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. mRNA expression and protein production of Rantes, MCP-1, MIP-la and MIP-2 were s tudied in splenocytes obtained at 0 h, 4 h and 12 h post-infection. Splenic denervation was performed to study the role of the central nervous system in early infection. The mRNA for Rantes increased at 4 h and declined at 12 h, but the protein level was high at both time-points. MCP-1 and MIP-la ha d elevated mRNA and protein levels at 12 h post-infection. MIP-2 mRNA was h igh at both 4 h and 12 h, but the protein level was only increased at 12 h. Splenic denervation, but not sham operation, suppressed these responses. T he upregulation of these chemokines during very early infection suggests a chemokine role in the developing immunopathology. The sympathetic nervous s ystem may, however, participate in modulation of such early immune response s.