EN
In vitro production of a potent immunoregulatory cytokine - TGF-β1 in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cell cultures derived from three age groups of Syrian golden hamsters infected with Ancylostoma ceylanicum was investigated. Expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in the cells was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Protein concentration in cell culture supernatants was determined by ELISA with the use of generated chicken polyclonal antibodies recognising hamster TGF-β1. The highest concentration of this cytokine was released by cells from the youngest hamsters, which were the most susceptible to hookworm infection. Real-time PCR analysis of TGF-β1 mRNA expression in non-stimulated MLN cells showed that fold changes in mRNA expression in the age groups corresponded to protein concentration in culture supernatants. To our knowledge this is the first report of TGF-β1 production during hookworm infection in hamsters. We hope that our studies provide a basic start for further investigation of TGF-β1 role in immunosuppression during hookworm infection.