Functional activation of T cells by dendritic cells and macrophages exposed to the intracellular parasite Neospora caninum

► We model Neospora caninum mouse infection ex vivo. ► We examined interactions between dendritic cells and macrophages with N. caninum. ► Dendritic cells and macrophages were the early sources of IL12 during the infection. ► IL12-dependent T cells-IFNγ-secretion occured after culture with N. caninum infected dendritic cells. ► This system will be useful in the design of vaccines/adjuvants against neosporosis.