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Cellular and molecular physiopathology of congenital toxoplasmosis: The dual role of IFN-γ

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2007

A. W. PFAFF ,
A. ABOU-BACAR ,
V. LETSCHER-BRU ,
O. VILLARD ,
A. SENEGAS ,
M. MOUSLI  and
E. CANDOLFI
A. W. PFAFF
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
A. ABOU-BACAR
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
V. LETSCHER-BRU
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
O. VILLARD
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
A. SENEGAS
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
M. MOUSLI
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
E. CANDOLFI*
Affiliation:
Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
*
*Corresponding author: Ermanno Candolfi, Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. Tel: +33-(0)390243679. Fax: +33-(0)390243693. E-mail: ermanno.candolfi@medecine.u-strasbg.fr
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Summary

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the few pathogens that can cross the placenta. Frequency and severity of transmission vary with gestational age. While the control of acquired toxoplasmosis is already well explored, the control of materno-foetal transmission of the parasite remains almost unknown. This is partly due to the lack of an animal model to study this process. This review summarises the studies which have been undertaken and shows that the mouse is a valuable model despite obvious differences to the human case. The paramount role of the cellular immune response has been shown by several experiments. However, IFN-γ has a dual role in this process. While its beneficial effects in the control of toxoplasmosis are well known, it also seems to have transmission-enhancing effects and can also directly harm the developing foetus. The ultimate goal of these studies is to develop a vaccine which protects both mother and foetus. Therefore, it is useful to study the mechanisms of natural resistance against transmission during a secondary infection. In this setting, the process is more complicated, involving both cellular and also humoral components of the immune system. In summary, even if the whole process is far from being elucidated, important insights have been gained so far which will help us to undertake rational vaccine research.

Keywords

Toxoplasma gondiicongenital infectionInterferon-γinflammationvaccine
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 134 , Special Issue 13: PARASITES IN PREGNANCY , December 2007 , pp. 1895 - 1902
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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