IL-1, TNF-ALPHA AND IL-2 PRODUCTION BY PERITONEAL AND SPLEEN-CELLS FROM SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI-INFECTED MICE AND ITS POTENTIATION BY PREIMMUNIZATION WITH SCHISTOSOMAL ANTIGENS AND IMMUNOSTIMULANTS

In the present study we tested the effect of immunization with schisto some derived antigens such as frozen-thawed schistosomula in combinati on with either BCG, liposomes or liposomal muramyl tripeptide-phosphat idyl ethanolamine (MTP-PE), on the resistance of mice to infection, an d on the function of their macrophages and lymphocytes. Immunization w ith either F-T schistosomula + BCG or F-T schistosomula + MTP-PE and s ubsequent infection, resulted in a 2-3-fold increase in adherent perit oneal macrophage-mediated schistosomulicidal activity (SCA). Peritonea l and spleen macrophages from immunostimulant treated and/or immunized animals showed a significant increase in LPS triggered TNF-alpha prod uction, as compared to non-treated controls. The highest increase in T NF-alpha production was achieved after immunization with either F-T sc histosomula + BCG or F-T schistosomula + MTP-PE. LPS triggered IL-1 pr oduction was elevated in spleen and peritoneal macrophages from F-T sc histosomula + BCG treated mice, and also in spleen macrophages treated with F-T schistosomula + MTP-PE. Only immunization with F-T schistoso mula + BCG increased ConA-induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production. Immunization of mice with F-T schistosomula + BCG als o induced protection against parasite infection, while F-T schistosomu la + MTP-PE failed to do so. Potentiation of antischistosomal resistan ce seems to require both macrophage and lymphocyte activation which wa s achieved only when BCG served as an immunostimulant.