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The investigator proposes to test the hypothesis that binding of CD40L on activated T cells to CD40+ on infected epithelial cells contributes to immunity against Cryptosporidium parvum (Cp) in the biliary tree and the intestine. The investigator proposes to investigate the mechanisms by which CD40-CD40L interactions contribute to Cp immunity by determining whether: <ol> <li>D40L is required for the afferent or efferent limb of Cp specific immunity by transfers of Cp immune and non-immune cells into Cp infected MHC matched knockout recipients. <li>The intact genes for gamma-IFN, TNFR, and/or IL 12 are required for sclerosis of bile ducts in Cp infected mice. <li>The synthesis of Bcl-series proteins is inhibited on a cell-specific basis by Cp infection.</ol>
If the investigator shows that Cp can be eliminated from the biliary tree by non-specific as well as specific T-cell mediated responses, a subsequent clinical study in AIDS patients, using discriminant analysis, would be planned.