African trypanosomes activate human fetal brain cells to proliferation and IFN-γ production

We addressed the host-parasite interplay and the immunopathogenetic events occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) during human African trypanosomiasis. Human first trimester forebrain cells were stimulated with a trypanosome lymphocyte-triggering factor (TLTF) and studied for their immune response as exemplified by cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production. TLTF induced proliferation of human first trimester forebrain cells and IFN-gamma production at the mRNA and protein levels. Astrocytes are the major producers of IFN-gamma in response to TLTF. These data illustrated for the first time a direct effect of a parasite factor on human brain cells. Targeting TLTF during the course of the disease may be considered in preventing the deadly neurological complications of human African trypanosomiasis. NeuroReport 13:53-56 (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.