Protective Immunity to Nematode Infection Is Induced by CTLA-4 Blockade

The recent observation that neutralization or genetic deletion of the T lymphocyte receptor CTLA-4 allows enhanced T cell reactivity offers new opportunities for immunotherapy against infectious agents. We used a neutralizing antibody to block CTLA-4 interaction with its ligands CD80 and CD86 during infection of mice with the nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. CTLA-4 blockade greatly enhanced and accelerated the T cell immune response to N. brasiliensis, resulting in a profound reduction in adult worm numbers and early termination of parasite egg production. The ability of CTLA-4 blockade to accelerate primary immune responses to a protective level during an acute infection indicates its potential as an immunotherapeutic tool for dealing with infectious agents.