Experimental mouse study reveals that astrocyte MHCI controls Toxoplasma gondii brain infection, highlighting astrocytes as critical local immune regulators.
Key Points
To identify which CNS-resident cells present antigens to T cells to control chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in the brain.
Generated transgenic mouse models lacking MHCI or MHCII specifically in CNS-resident macrophages.
Evaluated parasite control, T cell responses, and inflammatory monocyte recruitment in mice with astrocyte-specific deletion of MHCI.
Deletion of MHCI or MHCII in CNS-resident macrophages did not impair immune responses or CNS parasite control.
Astrocyte-specific deletion of MHCI impaired parasite control, leading to an increased burden of lytic parasites in the brain.
Loss of astrocytic MHCI resulted in elevated CD4⁺ T cell cytokine production and increased recruitment of iNOS⁺ inflammatory monocytes.