Defective protective capacity of W/Wv mice against Strongyloides vatti infection and its reconstitution with bone marrow cells

Abstract

The susceptibility of congenitally anemic, and mast cell deficient W/Wv mice to infection with S. ratti was examined. After a primary infection, W/Wv mice showed greater and more persistent peak larval counts than did normal littermates. Worm expulsion was slower in W/Wvmice than in +/+ mice. Difference in susceptibility was expressed as early as 24 h after infection, suggesting not only that protective mechanisms of the gut but also of the connective tissue were defective in W/Wv mice. Reconstitution with bone marrow or spleen cells from +/+ mice was effective in restoring the protective response in W/Wv mice, whereas thymocytes or mesenteric lymph nodes had no effect. Both connective tissue and mucosal mast cells were repaired in W/Wv mice after marrow reconstitution and infection. Since a relatively long incubation period was required for the expression of such reconstituting activities, bone marrow cells seem to contain precursor cells of the effector and/or regulator cells.