[Activities of treg cells stimulated by soluble adult worm antigen and egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE

To observe and compare the effects of soluble adult worm antigen (SWA) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma japonicum on the induction of Treg cells and the suppressive activity of Treg cells.

METHOD: Splenocytes were prepared from mice treated with PBS, SWA, and SEA, respectively, and then the proportions of Treg cells and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta in Treg cells were determined by FACS. The purified Treg cells from the mice treated as above-mentioned were detected for their immunosuppressive activities by incorporation of [3H] thymidine for the final 16 h of culture.

RESULTS

Compared to SWA, SEA induced the higher proportion of Treg cells with a stronger suppressive activity, which produced the higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SEA significantly induces Treg cells and enhances their immunosuppressive activity.