Relation Between ICOS Signaling and Th9 Cell Polarization in Mice Infected with Schistosoma Japonicum

OBJECTIVE:To detect the expression level of ICOS on Th9 cells in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, and investigate the relation between ICOS signaling and Th9 cell polarization.METHODS:Twenty-five mice with S. japonicum infection were used as models. IL-9+cells in CD4+ T cells and ICOS+ cells in Th9 cells of the mice were detected by flow cytometry 0, 4, 7, 9 weeks and 12 weeks after the infection.RESULTS:Compared with that 0 week after the infection, the proportion of Th9 cells in CD4+ T cells of the mice significantly increased 4, 7, 9, 12 weeks after the infection (all P < 0.05), and the proportion of ICOS+ cells in Th9 cells also markedly improved (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:In S. japonicum infection, the ICOS signaling may have a regulatory effect on Th9 cell polarization.