Intrinsic expression of Nod2 in CD4+ T lymphocytes is not necessary for the development of cell-mediated immunity and host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii
✍ Scribed by Braulia C. Caetano; Amlan Biswas; Djalma S. Lima-Junior; Luciana Benevides; Tiago W. P. Mineo; Catarina V. Horta; Kyoung-Hee Lee; Joao S. Silva; Ricardo T. Gazzinelli; Dario S. Zamboni; Koichi S. Kobayashi
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2011
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 188 KB
- Volume
- 41
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0014-2980
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
Nod2 belongs to the nucleotide‐binding domain leucine‐rich repeat family of proteins and senses bacterial cell wall components to initiate innate immune responses against various pathogens. Recently, it has been reported that T‐cell‐intrinsic expression of Nod2 promotes host defense against Toxoplasma gondii infection by inducing type 1 immunity. Here, we present results that demonstrate that Nod2 does not play a role in the defense against T. gondii infection. Nod2‐deficient mice were fully capable of inducing Th1 immune responses and did not show enhanced susceptibility to infection. Upon TCR stimulation in vitro, Nod2‐deficient CD4^+^ T cells showed normal activation, IL‐2 production, proliferation, and Th1/2 differentiation. Nod2 mRNA and protein were expressed in CD4^+^ T and CD8^+^ T cells at substantial levels. Therefore, Nod2, although expressed in CD4^+^ T cells, does not have an intrinsic function in T‐cell activation and differentiation.