immunology of infectious and parasitic diseases - XXXVII Congress ...

- mice compared to infected WT controls, and was characterized by a lower
frequency of CD8 + T cells and a greater frequency of Gr-1 hi CD11b + I-A - cells
(neutrophils). Also, lower expression of IFNg was detected in the hearts of
Ccr7 KO mice. Adoptive transfer of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells from WT mice
was necessary to confer protection to T. cruzi-infected TCRa KO mice, whereas
transfer of CD4 + and/or CD8 + T cells from Ccr7-deficient mice was not sufficient
to confer protection to these mice.
Conclusion: Ccr7 is a critical factor for survival and control of T. cruzi infection
in C57BL/6 mice. We suggest a role for Ccr7 in the activation and migration of
IFNg-producing CD8 + T cells to T. cruzi-infected hearts, which may control the
parasite and restrict neutrophil-mediated immunopathology. The exact
mechanisms of resistance conferred by Ccr7 are currently under investigation.
Financial Support: NIH