Schistosoma-specific helper T cell clones from subjects resistant to infection by Schistosoma mansoni are Th0/2.

Although T helper cells play a critical role in human immunity against schistosomes, the properties of the T lymphocytes that govern resistance and pathogenesis in human schistosomiasis are still poorly defined. This work addresses the question as to whether human resistance to Schistosoma mansoni is associated with a particular T helper subset. Twenty-eight CD3+, CD4+, CD8- parasite-specific T cell clones were isolated from three adults with high degree of resistance to infection by S. mansoni. The lymphokine secretion profiles of these clones were determined and compared to those of 21 CD3+, CD4+, CD8- clones with unknown specificity, established from these same subjects in the same cloning experiment. Almost all parasite-specific clones produced interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in large amounts. However, they generally produced more IL-4 than IFN-gamma; variations in IL-4/IFN-gamma ratios were accounted for by differences in IFN-gamma production since IL-4 levels were comparable for the clones from the three subjects. T cell clones of unknown specificity produced significantly less IL-4 and more IFN-gamma than parasite-specific T cell clones. Most clones produced IL-2, and IL-2 production did not differ between the two types of clones. Parasite-specific T cell clones from the resistant subjects were compared to specific T cell clones from a sensitized adult from a nonendemic area: T cell clones from this latter subject were the highest IFN-gamma and the lowest IL-4 producers, compared to those of resistant subjects. Thus, parasite-specific T cell clones isolated from adults resistant to S. mansoni belong to the Th0 subset and produced more IL-4 than IFN-gamma (Th0/2), whereas clones of a sensitized adult from a nonendemic area are also Th0, but produce more IFN-gamma than IL-4 (Th0/1). These results support previous conclusions on the role of IgE in protection against schistosomes in humans, and may indicate that IFN-gamma is required for full protection.