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Chang KW, Wang LC, Wang HY, Lin TY, Hwu EET, Cheng PC. Inflammatory and immunopathological differences in brains of permissive and non-permissive hosts with Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection can be identified using 18F/FDG/PET-imaging. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012188. [PMID: 38805557 PMCID: PMC11161054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasite that mainly infects the heart and pulmonary arteries of rats and causes human eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis in certain geographical areas. Current diagnostic methods include detection of the parasite in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and eosinophilic immune examination after lumbar puncture, which may be risky and produce false-positive results. 18F- Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a Positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, has been used to assess different pathological or inflammatory changes in the brains of patients. In this study, we hypothesized that A. cantonensis infection-induced inflammatory and immunomodulatory factors of eosinophils result in localized pathological changes in the brains of non-permissive hosts, which could be analyzed using in vivo 18F-FDG PET imaging. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS Non-permissive host ICR mice and permissive host SD rats were infected with A. cantonensis, and the effects of the resulting inflammation on 18F-FDG uptake were characterized using PET imaging. We also quantitatively measured the distributed uptake values of different brain regions to build an evaluated imaging model of localized neuropathological damage caused by eosinophilic inflammation. Our results showed that the uptake of 18F-FDG increased in the cerebellum, brainstem, and limbic system of mice at three weeks post-infection, whereas the uptake in the rat brain was not significant. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting revealed that Iba-1, a microglia-specific marker, significantly increased in the hippocampus and its surrounding area in mice after three weeks of infection, and then became pronounced after four weeks of infection; while YM-1, an eosinophilic chemotactic factor, in the hippocampus and midbrain, increased significantly from two weeks post-infection, sharply escalated after three weeks of infection, and peaked after four weeks of infection. Cytometric bead array (CBA) analysis revealed that the expression of TNF in the serum of mice increased concomitantly with the prolongation of infection duration. Furthermore, IFN-γ and IL-4 in rat serum were significantly higher than in mouse serum at two weeks post-infection, indicating significantly different immune responses in the brains of rats and mice. We suggest that 18F-FDG uptake in the host brain may be attributed to the accumulation of large numbers of immune cells, especially the metabolic burst of activated eosinophils, which are attracted to and induced by activated microglia in the brain. CONCLUSIONS An in vivo 18F-FDG/PET imaging model can be used to evaluate live neuroinflammatory pathological changes in the brains of A. cantonensis-infected mice and rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-wei Chang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yang Wang
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yuan Lin
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Edwin En-Te Hwu
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation’s Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Po-Ching Cheng
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for International Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kraemer L, McKay DM, Russo RC, Fujiwara RT. Chemokines and chemokine receptors: insights from human disease and experimental models of helminthiasis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 66:38-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Zhou H, Chen Z, Limpanont Y, Hu Y, Ma Y, Huang P, Dekumyoy P, Zhou M, Cheng Y, Lv Z. Necroptosis and Caspase-2-Mediated Apoptosis of Astrocytes and Neurons, but Not Microglia, of Rat Hippocampus and Parenchyma Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3126. [PMID: 32038563 PMCID: PMC6989440 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the roundworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. The underlying molecular basis of the various pathological outcomes in permissive and non-permissive hosts infected with A. cantonensis remains poorly defined. In the present study, the histology of neurological disorders in the central nervous system (CNS) of infected rats was assessed by using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot and immunofluorescence (IF) were used in evolutions of the transcription and translation levels of the apoptosis-, necroptosis-, autophagy-, and pyroptosis-related genes. The distribution of apoptotic and necroptotic cells in the rat hippocampus and parenchyma was further detected using flow cytometry, and the features of the ultrastructure of the cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The inflammatory response upon CNS infection with A. cantonensis evolved, as characterized by the accumulation of a small number of inflammatory cells under the thickened meninges, which peaked at 21 days post-infection (dpi) and returned to normal by 35 dpi. The transcription levels and translation of caspase-2, caspase-8, RIP1 and RIP3 increased significantly at 21 and 28 dpi but decreased sharply at 35 dpi compared to those in the normal control group. However, the changes in the expression of caspase-1, caspase-3, caspase-11, Beclin-1 and LC3B were not obvious, suggesting that apoptosis and necroptosis but not autophagy or pyroptosis occurred in the brains of infected animals at 21 and 28 dpi. The results of RT-qPCR, western blot analysis, IF, flow cytometry and TEM further illustrated that necroptosis and caspase-2-mediated apoptosis occurred in astrocytes and neurons but not in microglia in the parenchyma and hippocampus of infected animals. This study provides the first evidence that neuronal and astrocytic necroptosis and caspase-2-mediated apoptosis are induced by A. cantonensis infection in the parenchymal and hippocampal regions of rats at 21 and 28 dpi but these processes are negligible at 35 dpi. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of A. cantonensis infection and provide new insights into therapeutic approaches targeting the occurrence of cell death in astrocytes and neurons in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Zhou
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yue Hu
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yubin Ma
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Minyu Zhou
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yixin Cheng
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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Mengying Z, Yiyue X, Tong P, Yue H, Limpanont Y, Ping H, Okanurak K, Yanqi W, Dekumyoy P, Hongli Z, Watthanakulpanich D, Zhongdao W, Zhi W, Zhiyue L. Apoptosis and necroptosis of mouse hippocampal and parenchymal astrocytes, microglia and neurons caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:611. [PMID: 29258580 PMCID: PMC5735806 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2565-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been the only parasite among Angiostrongylidae to cause human central nervous system infection characterized by eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis. The mechanism of the extensive neurological impairments of hosts caused by A. cantonensis larvae remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy in the brains of mice infected with A. cantonensis, which will be valuable for better understanding the pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis. METHODS Functional and histological neurological impairments of brain tissues from mice infected with A. cantonensis were measured by the Morris water maze test and haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, respectively. The transcriptional and translational levels of apoptosis-, necroptosis- and autophagy-related genes were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and assessed by western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Apoptotic and necroptotic cells and their distributions in infected brain tissues were analysed by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS Inflammatory response in the central nervous system deteriorated as A. cantonensis infection evolved, as characterized by abundant inflammatory cell infiltration underneath the meninges, which peaked at 21 days post-infection (dpi). The learning and memory capacities of the mice were significantly decreased at 14 dpi, indicating prominent impairment of their cognitive functions. Compared with those of the control group, the mRNA levels of caspase-3, -4, -6, and RIP3 and the protein levels of caspase-4, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-6, RIP3, and pRIP3 were obviously elevated. However, no changes in the mRNA or protein levels of FADD, Beclin-1 or LC3B were evident, indicating that apoptosis and necroptosis, but not autophagy, occurred in the brain tissues of mice infected with A. cantonensis. The quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, IHC, flow cytometry and TEM results further revealed the apoptotic and necroptotic microglia, astrocytes and neurons in the parenchymal and hippocampal regions of infected mice. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, we showed for the first time that A. cantonensis infection causes the apoptosis and necroptosis of microglia and astrocytes in the parenchymal and hippocampal regions of host brain tissues, further demonstrating the pathogenesis of A. cantonensis infection and providing potential therapeutic targets for the management of angiostrongyliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Mengying
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Xu Yiyue
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Pan Tong
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Hu Yue
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Huang Ping
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Kamolnetr Okanurak
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Wu Yanqi
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Zhou Hongli
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | | | - Wu Zhongdao
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Wang Zhi
- College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha, 410128 China
| | - Lv Zhiyue
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
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5
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Ji L, Yiyue X, Xujin H, Minghui Z, Mengying Z, Yue H, Yanqi W, Langui S, Xin Z, Datao L, Shuo W, Huanqin Z, Zhongdao W, Zhiyue L. Study on the tolerance and adaptation of rats to Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1937-1945. [PMID: 28493001 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5472-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) is the most common infectious agent causing eosinophilic meningitis. As an important food-borne parasitic disease, angiostrongyliasis cantonensis is an emerging infectious disease which brings severe harm to central nerve system of human. Rat, one of the few permissive hosts of A. cantonensis known to date, plays an indispensable role in the worm's life cycle. However, the tolerance and adaptation of rat to A. cantonensis infection is rarely understood. In this study, we infected rats with different numbers the third stage larvae (L3) of A. cantonensis and explored their tolerance through analysis on survival curve, neurological function score, and detection of pathological damages in organs including the brain, lung, and heart of the animals. Results indicated that rats' survival condition worsens, and body weight dropped more significantly as more worms were used for infection. Death appeared in groups infected with 80 and more A. cantonesnsis per rat. Morris water maze revealed that the neurological function of rats damaged gradually with increasing infection number of A. cantonensis larvae. When the number of infected parasite exceeded 240 per animal, rats showed significant neurological impairments. Collection of A. cantonensis from rat lung after 35 days of infection implied an upper limit for worm entry, and the average length of worm was inversely proportional to the infection amount, while the ratio between female and male worms was positively related to the infection number. The degree of pulmonary and cardiac inflammation was proportional to the infection number of A. cantonensis. Meanwhile, there existed considerable amount of adult worms in rat's right atrium and right ventricle, leading to a right heart myocardial inflammation. The present study firstly reports the tolerance and adaptation of rat, a permissive host of A. cantonensis to its infection, which will not only provide accurate technical parameters for maintaining A. cantonensis life cycle under laboratory conditions but also help unveil the underlying mechanism of the distinct pathological outcomes in the permissive and non-permissive hosts with A. cantonensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Ji
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xu Yiyue
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - He Xujin
- The Affiliated High School of South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zheng Minghui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhang Mengying
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hu Yue
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wu Yanqi
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Song Langui
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zeng Xin
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lin Datao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wan Shuo
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zheng Huanqin
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wu Zhongdao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lv Zhiyue
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis: a review of its distribution, molecular biology and clinical significance as a human pathogen. Parasitology 2016; 143:1087-118. [PMID: 27225800 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016000652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a metastrongyloid nematode found widely in the Asia-Pacific region, and the aetiological agent of angiostrongyliasis; a disease characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. Rattus rats are definitive hosts of A. cantonensis, while intermediate hosts include terrestrial and aquatic molluscs. Humans are dead-end hosts that usually become infected upon ingestion of infected molluscs. A presumptive diagnosis is often made based on clinical features, a history of mollusc consumption, eosinophilic pleocytosis in cerebral spinal fluid, and advanced imaging such as computed tomography. Serological tests are available for angiostrongyliasis, though many tests are still under development. While there is no treatment consensus, therapy often includes a combination of anthelmintics and corticosteroids. Angiostrongyliasis is relatively rare, but is often associated with morbidity and sometimes mortality. Recent reports suggest the parasites' range is increasing, leading to fatalities in regions previously considered Angiostrongylus-free, and sometimes, delayed diagnosis in newly invaded regions. Increased awareness of angiostrongyliasis would facilitate rapid diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. This paper summarizes knowledge on the parasites' life cycle, clinical aspects and epidemiology. The molecular biology of Angiostrongylus spp. is also discussed. Attention is paid to the significance of angiostrongyliasis in Australia, given the recent severe cases reported from the Sydney region.
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Yu L, Wu X, Wei J, Liao Q, Xu L, Luo S, Zeng X, Zhao Y, Lv Z, Wu Z. Preliminary expression profile of cytokines in brain tissue of BALB/c mice with Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:328. [PMID: 26070790 PMCID: PMC4476182 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0939-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) infection can result in increased risk of eosinophilic meningitis. Accumulation of eosinophils and inflammation can result in the A. cantonensis infection playing an important role in brain tissue injury during this pathological process. However, underlying mechanisms regarding the transcriptomic responses during brain tissue injury caused by A. cantonensis infection are yet to be elucidated. This study is aimed at identifying some genomic and transcriptomic factors influencing the accumulation of eosinophils and inflammation in the mouse brain infected with A. cantonensis. Methods An infected mouse model was prepared based on our laboratory experimental process, and then the mouse brain RNA Libraries were constructed for deep Sequencing with Illumina Genome Analyzer. The raw data was processed with a bioinformatics’ pipeline including Refseq genes expression analysis using cufflinks, annotation and classification of RNAs, lncRNA prediction as well as analysis of co-expression network. The analysis of Refseq data provides the measure of the presence and prevalence of transcripts from known and previously unknown genes. Results This study showed that Cys-Cys (CC) type chemokines such as CCL2, CCL8, CCL1, CCL24, CCL11, CCL7, CCL12 and CCL5 were elevated significantly at the late phase of infection. The up-regulation of CCL2 indicated that the worm of A. cantonensis had migrated into the mouse brain at an early infection phase. CCL2 could be induced in the brain injury during migration and CCL2 might play a major role in the neuropathic pain caused by A. cantonensis infection. The up-regulated expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 showed Th2 cell predominance in immunopathological reactions at late infection phase in response to infection by A. cantonensis. These different cytokines can modulate and inhibit each other and function as a network with the specific potential to drive brain eosinophilic inflammation. The increase of ATF-3 expression at 21 dpi suggested the injury of neuronal cells at late phase of infection. 1217 new potential lncRNA were candidates of interest for further research. Conclusions These cytokine networks play an important role in the development of central nervous system inflammation caused by A. cantonensis infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0939-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Three Gorges University, Yichang, China. .,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qi Liao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Lian Xu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Siqi Luo
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Advanced Computing Research Laboratory, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, The Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Ji P, Hu H, Yang X, Wei X, Zhu C, Liu J, Feng Y, Yang F, Okanurak K, Li N, Zeng X, Zheng H, Wu Z, Lv Z. AcCystatin, an immunoregulatory molecule from Angiostrongylus cantonensis, ameliorates the asthmatic response in an aluminium hydroxide/ovalbumin-induced rat model of asthma. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:613-24. [PMID: 25399816 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4223-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological surveys have demonstrated that helminth infections are negatively related to atopic diseases, including asthma. Defining and characterising specific helminth molecules that have excellent immunomodulatory capacities as potential therapeutics for the treatment or prophylaxis of allergic manifestations are of great interest. AcCystatin, a cystatin protease inhibitor of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is a homologue of other nematode cystatins with immunoregulatory properties. Here, we aim to determine the effects of AcCystatin on an ovalbumin/aluminium hydroxide (OVA/Al[OH]3)-induced rat model of asthma. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, including a control group, an OVA/Al[OH]3-induced asthma group, a group receiving AcCystatin immunisation prior to OVA/Al[OH]3-induced asthma and a group receiving AcCystatin treatment after OVA/Al[OH]3-induced asthma. The numbers of eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in the peripheral blood and of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted for each animal. The expression levels of the cytokines interferon-γ, interleukin (IL) 4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL17A and tumour necrosis factor receptor-α in BALF, of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E in BALF and serum and of the chemokines eotaxin-1, eotaxin-2, eotaxin-3, MCP-1 and MCP-3 in lung tissue were measured. In addition, the degree of peribronchial and perivascular inflammation and the intensity of goblet cell metaplasia were qualitatively evaluated. The sensitised/challenged rats developed an extensive cell inflammatory response of the airways. AcCystatin administration significantly reduced the cellular infiltrate in the perivascular and peribronchial lung tissues and reduced both goblet mucous production and eosinophil infiltration. The rats that were treated with AcCystatin before or after sensitisation with OVA showed significant decreases in eotaxin-1, eotaxin-3 and MCP-1 expression in the lung tissue. The production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-17A and of OVA-specific IgE antibodies was also significantly reduced in AcCystatin-treated rats compared with untreated asthmatic rats. The AcCystatin treatment was associated with a significant increase in IL-10 levels. Our present findings provide the first demonstration that AcCystatin is an effective agent in the prevention and treatment of the airway inflammation associated with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Ji
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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