Effect of protein and DNA components of Toxoplasma gondii on IL-12 production from dendritic cells and T cell proliferation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of protein and DNA components of Toxoplasma gondii on maturation of dendritic cells and their efficiency in IL-12 production and proliferation of T cells. for DC generation, Bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 5 days. Tumor lysate and protein or DNA components of Toxoplasma gondii were added to the culture media and incubated for another 2 days. LPS was added as control for DC maturation. Proliferation of T cells were determined by MLR and IL-12 production was measured by ELISA kit. Maturation of dendritic cell were determined by flowcytometry. DCs treatment with protein components of Toxoplasma gondii caused a significant increase in IL-12 production and proliferation of T cells (P<0.001). Different compositions of microbial body like protein and DNA components of Toxoplasma gondii can cause augmentation of antigen presentation capacity of DC and their IL-12 production capability. Among these components the protein was more effective as compared to DNA.