Induction of hepatic pathology in SCID-Hu mice engrafted with peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with Schistosomiasis japonica.

SCID mice were engrafted with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from persons currently or previously infected with Schistosoma japonicum. After immunization with soluble worm antigenic preparation, the SCID-Hu mice were analyzed for a human immune response. ELISA revealed a low titer of human antibody recognizing soluble egg antigens in 2 of 10 mice. One mouse had detectable levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and gamma-interferon, TH1 phenotype cytokines. All mice had elevated levels of IL-4, a TH2 phenotype cytokine. The human cytokine profile of the mice paralleled the patient's serum profile at clinical examination. In addition, all mice had substantial hepatic pathology, including inflammatory cell infiltrates and macrovesicular fat deposition. The data indicate that activation of PBL from patients with a history of schistosomiasis japonica infection can result in focal hepatic pathology, which may be driven by specific cytokines.