Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection of the eye can result in a recurrent necrotising retinochoroiditis (TR) which may lead to a permanent loss of visual acuity. The mechanisms responsible for the control of TR within the retina are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cytokines on the replication of T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites within rat retinal vascular endothelial (rRVE) cells. Pretreatment of rRVE with IFNgamma, TNF or IL-1beta resulted in a significant decrease in T. gondii replication from day 2 onwards. There was no significant difference in nitric oxide (NO) production by IFNgamma, TNF or IL-1beta treated rRVE as compared to controls at any time point. By comparison, the addition of L-tryptophan to IFNgamma treated cultures significantly restored T. gondii replication from 48 h post inoculation. Thus, IFNgamma, TNF and IL-1beta can significantly inhibit the replication of T. gondii within rRVE. However, this inhibition appears to be independent of NO production. L-tryptophan catabolism may have a role in IFNgamma mediated inhibition of T. gondii replication in rRVE cells.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 182-8 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
| Volume | 102 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jan 2000 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Cell Line, Transformed
- Cytokines
- Endothelium, Vascular
- Interferon-gamma
- Interleukin-1
- Nitric Oxide
- Rats
- Retinal Vessels
- Toxoplasma
- Tryptophan
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha