Rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6 is activated by recombinant interferon-gamma to inhibit replication of the coccidian Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites invaded and replicated in cultured rat small intestine cells of the line IEC-6. Treatment of rat small intestine cells with murine recombinant interferon-gamma resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of intracellular T. gondii replication. This could be of relevance as a first line defense against Toxoplasma infection.