The antiphosphorylcholine plaque-forming cell responses induced by the nematode Trichinella in BWF1 mice.

We have tested the ability of the nematode Trichinella to infect young and old (NZB x NZW) F1 (BWF1) mice. We report the capacity of these mice to respond to the parasite antigens containing the epitope phosphorylcholine. The values obtained in adult worm intestinal retention rates and in the number of encysted larvae on the 35th day postinfection showed that the old BWF1 mice are more susceptible than young BWF1 and control (BALB/c x CBA/j)F1 (BCF1) mice to Trichinella infection. However, unlike the BCF1 mice, young BWF1 mice were unable to produce a good anti-phosphorylcholine plaque-forming cell response after the killing of Trichinella larvae by the anthelminthic mebendazole. Old BWF1 mice presented a discrete response which is discussed. Finally, our results seem to indicate that the lack of anti-phosphorylcholine response in young BWF1 mice after mebendazole treatment may be related to the high susceptibility of these mice to the suppressive properties of encysted Trichinella larvae against their own antigens.