CD4+ T cells which react to the Leishmania major LACK antigen rapidly secrete interleukin-4 and are detrimental to the host in resistant B10.D2 mice

Abstract

Leishmania major induces the rapid production of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in both susceptible BALB/c and resistant B10.D2 mice. In both strains, IL-4 is produced by T cells which react to the parasite LACK (for Leishmania homolog of the receptor for activated C kinase) antigen. The rapid production of IL- 4 in B10.D2 mice does not confer susceptibility but results in increased parasite burdens.