Activation of CD4+ and CD8+ parasite -specific T-cells by macrophages infected with live T. cruzi amastigotes.

T. cruzi-infected macrophages are potential candidates for the presentation of parasite antigens to T. cruzi-specific T lymphocytes. To assess this question, we examine the ability of peritoneal exudate macrophages to process exogenous live or dead parasites and to activate defined populations of T. cruzi-specific immune T-cells. Macrophages infected with live amastigotes activated both lymph node CD4+ and spleen CD8 + T-primed cells that proliferated and secreted cytokines. Lymph node CD4+ T-cells produced IFN-gamma and IL-10 while CD8 + T-cells produced IFN-gamma. In contrast, macrophages pulsed with dead parasites activated only lymph node CD4+ T-cells, which proliferated and secreted IFN-gamma. Interestingly, the immunization with heat-killed parasites primed mice for CD8+ T-cells which were expanded in vitro by recognition of infected macrophages. Taken together, these results demonstrated that amastigote infected macrophages present parasite peptides associated with MHC I and II molecules, activating both CD4 + and CD8+ T-cells. Furthermore, the development of T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T-cells in vivo using the immunization protocol with non-living parasites as described in this report could be explored for further studies on the role of CTL in the outcome of infection.