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Tsai HC, Chen YH, Jen JY, Chang HM. Increased expression of the kynurenine pathway in mice with eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Acta Trop 2024; 256:107251. [PMID: 38763319 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the major cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. The imbalance of neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites in the kynurenine pathway (KP) have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) infection. We hypothesized that KP may also be involved in parasitic eosinophilic meningitis. BALB/c mice were orally infected with 40 A. cantonensis L3, intraperitoneal dexamethasone at a dose of 500 µg/kg/day was administered from the seventh day of infection until the end of the study. The Evans blue method was used to analyze blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) proteins levels was measured by Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence. Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were analyzed by IHC and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations of Evans blue, IDO, tryptophan and kynurenine in the different groups of mice were compared using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. BBB dysfunction was found in mice with eosinophilic meningitis. The administration of dexamethasone significantly decreased the amount of Evans blue. An increased IDO expression was shown in Western blot, IHC and immunofluorescence following 2-3 weeks infection. Increased tryptophan and kynurenine expressions in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were also found in IHC and LC-MS/MS studies. The administration of dexamethasone significantly decreased the amount of IDO, tryptophan and kynurenine. In conclusion, A. cantonensis infection inducing BBB damage, then increased the influx of tryptophan into CSF. The administration of dexamethasone significantly decreased the amount of IDO, tryptophan and kynurenine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chin Tsai
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Hsin Chen
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yueh Jen
- College of Pharmacy and Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Min Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
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Chen KM, Lan KP, Lai SC. Neuroprotective effects of CysLT2R antagonist on Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced edema and meningoencephalitis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 260:111649. [PMID: 39004229 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) can induce a disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and this reaction is mediated by cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors. In this study, we used A. cantonensis-induced eosinophilic meningoencephalitis as a model to investigate whether the CysLT2 receptor involved in the pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis. The present study provides evidence that the CysLT2 receptor antagonist HAMI3379 reduced the number of infiltrated eosinophils and brain edema in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Additionally, we found that HAMI3379 significantly decreased the protein levels of M1 polarisation markers (CD80, iNOS, IL-5 and TNF-α), increased the expression of M2 polarisation markers (CD206, IL-10 and TGF-β) both in vivo and in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, S100B, GFAP, fibronectin, and claudin-5 were markedly lower after HAMI3379 treatment. Therefore, HAMI3379 reduced the BBB dysfunction in angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis. We have identified microRNA-155 as a BBB dysfunction marker in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. The results showed that microRNA-155 was 15-fold upregulated in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and 20-fold upregulated after HAMI3379 treatment. Our results suggest that CysLT2R may be involved in A. cantonensis-induced brain edema and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and that down-regulation of CysLT2R could be a novel and potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Min Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Ping Lan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 708, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chan Lai
- Department of Parasitology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
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3
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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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Lee DW, Kwon JI, Heo H, Woo CW, Yu NH, Kim KW, Woo DC. Cerebral Glutamate Alterations Using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging in a Rat Model of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Sepsis. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13050636. [PMID: 37233677 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13050636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) is a useful imaging tool to detect glutamate signal alterations caused by neuroinflammation. This study aimed to visualize and quantitatively evaluate hippocampal glutamate alterations in a rat model of sepsis-induced brain injury using GluCEST and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Twenty-one Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups (sepsis-induced groups (SEP05, n = 7 and SEP10, n = 7) and controls (n = 7)). Sepsis was induced through a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 5 mg/kg (SEP05) or 10 mg/kg (SEP10). GluCEST values and 1H-MRS concentrations in the hippocampal region were quantified using conventional magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry and a water scaling method, respectively. In addition, we examined immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining to observe the immune response and activity in the hippocampal region after LPS exposure. The GluCEST and 1H-MRS results showed that GluCEST values and glutamate concentrations were significantly higher in sepsis-induced rats than those in controls as the LPS dose increased. GluCEST imaging may be a helpful technique for defining biomarkers to estimate glutamate-related metabolism in sepsis-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Wan Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Im Kwon
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Nonclinical Research Center, QuBEST BIO Inc., Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17015, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwon Heo
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Woong Woo
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Hee Yu
- Nonclinical Research Center, QuBEST BIO Inc., Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17015, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Cheol Woo
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
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Takei R, Nakashima M, Gotoh M, Endo M, Hashimoto K, Miyamoto Y, Murakami-Murofushi K. 2-carba-cyclic phosphatidic acid modulates astrocyte-to-microglia communication and influences microglial polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Neurosci Lett 2023; 797:137063. [PMID: 36634888 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
2-carba-cyclic phosphatidic acid (2ccPA) suppresses microglial and astrocyte inflammation for neuronal survival following traumatic brain injury. However, it remains unknown how 2ccPA regulates microglial activation. In this study, to elucidate the 2ccPA behavior in glial communication, we collected the astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) from primary astrocyte cultures that were treated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2ccPA and analyzed the alteration of microglial inflammation caused by the ACM treatment. The addition of the ACM derived from LPS- and 2ccPA-double treated astrocytes to microglia decreased the CD86+ pro-inflammatory M1 microglia, which were upregulated with the ACM collected from astrocytes treated by LPS without 2ccPA, while the direct addition of LPS and 2ccPA to microglia failed to decrease the CD86+ microglia to the basal level. We confirmed that the ACM from LPS- and 2ccPA-treated astrocytes increased the ratio of CD206+ anti-inflammatory M2 microglia to total microglia, whereas direct treatment of microglia with LPS and 2ccPA had no effect on the CD206+ microglia ratio, demonstrating the importance of astrocyte intervention in microglial polarization. In addition, we examined whether astrocytes modulate the 2ccPA-regulated proinflammatory cytokine production derived from microglia. The addition of the ACM from LPS- and 2ccPA-treated astrocytes to microglia remarkably canceled the LPS-induced upregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α secreted from microglia, while the direct addition of LPS and 2ccPA to microglia showed no affect. Therefore, our results indicate that astrocytes mediate the 2ccPA function to shift microglia towards the M2 phenotype by interfering with the polarization of M1 microglia and to suppress cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rino Takei
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Nakashima
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Gotoh
- Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Kage, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misaki Endo
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Hashimoto
- Academic Production, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Miyamoto
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Research division of human welfare science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kimiko Murakami-Murofushi
- Research division of human welfare science, Ochanomizu University, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Zeng X, Shen J, Li D, Liu S, Feng Y, Yuan D, Wang L, Wu Z. CEBPα/miR-101b-3p promotes meningoencephalitis in mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis by promoting microglial pyroptosis. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:31. [PMID: 36747241 PMCID: PMC9903543 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01038-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) infection can induce acute inflammation, which causes meningoencephalitis and tissue mechanical injury to the brain. Parasite infection-induced microRNAs play important roles in anti-parasite immunity in non-permissive hosts. miR-101b-3p is highly expressed after A. cantonensis infection; however, the role of miR-101b-3p and the transcription regulation of miR-101b-3p in A. cantonensis infection remain poorly characterized. RESULTS In the present study, we found that miR-101b-3p inhibition alleviated inflammation infiltration and pyroptosis in A. cantonensis infection. In addition, we found that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPα) directly bound to the - 6-k to - 3.5-k region upstream of miR-101b, and CEBPα activated miR-101b-3p expression in microglia. These data suggest the existence of a novel CEBPα/miR-101b-3p/pyroptosis pathway in A. cantonensis infection. Further investigation verified that CEBPα promotes pyroptosis by activating miR-101b-3p expression in microglia, and microglial pyroptosis further promoted inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a CEBPα/miR-101b-3p/pyroptosis pathway may contribute to A. cantonensis infection-induced inflammation and highlight the pro-inflammatory effect of miR-101b-3p. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingda Zeng
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XKey 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
| | - Jia Shen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XKey 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
| | - Dinghao Li
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XKey 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
| | - Shurui Liu
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XKey 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
| | - Ying Feng
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Dongjuan Yuan
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China
| | - Lifu Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, KingMed School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510180, China.
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, 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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Zhou Z, Lin T, Liu Z, Ding Q, Ma Z, Li W, Xie F, Lan Y, Feng Y. IL-17A Mediates Demyelination by Activating A1 Astrocytes via SOCS3 During Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:845011. [PMID: 35296090 PMCID: PMC8918566 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.845011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Demyelinating disease of the central nervous system is one of the most common neurological diseases and effective treatment is still under in-depth research. Our previous study showed that Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection can induce demyelination injury in mouse brains and IL-17A expression was shown to be significantly increased during this process. Moreover, we found that IL-17A inhibition attenuated the demyelination caused by A. cantonensis infection. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Methods IL-17A neutralizing antibodies were injected into A. cantonensis infected mice to decrease IL-17A levels. The activation of glial cells in the brain and the expression of cell markers were detected by a variety of methods, including real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. The relationship between IL-17A and astrocyte activation was further identified by in vitro experiments. The role of SOCS3 in the IL-17A stimulating process was determined using RNA-seq data collection of infected mice and the siRNA interference method. Results Demyelination of the corpus callosum was relieved after administration of IL-17A neutralizing antibody and this was accompanied by decreased activation of A1 type astrocytes around this region. The expression of SOCS3 was attenuated and activation of astrocytes by IL-17A was mediated by the IL-17RA/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway. IL-17A not only directly damaged oligodendrocytes but also indirectly damaged oligodendrocytes through A1 astrocyte mediation. Specific siRNA inhibition of IL-17A-inducible SOCS3 in astrocytes alleviated their damaging effects on oligodendrocytes. Conclusion IL-17A plays an important role in demyelination induced by A. cantonensis infection via the IL-17RA/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway in A1-type astrocytes, indicating that specific blockage of IL-17A and SOCS3 activity could be a therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammatory demyelinating diseases associated with astrocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongpu Zhou
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tuo Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Ding
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixuan Ma
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanqi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fukang Xie
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Lan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Lan, ; Ying Feng,
| | - Ying Feng
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Lan, ; Ying Feng,
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8
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Macháček T, Leontovyč R, Šmídová B, Majer M, Vondráček O, Vojtěchová I, Petrásek T, Horák P. Mechanisms of the host immune response and helminth-induced pathology during Trichobilharzia regenti (Schistosomatidae) neuroinvasion in mice. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010302. [PMID: 35120185 PMCID: PMC8849443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth neuroinfections represent serious medical conditions, but the diversity of the host-parasite interplay within the nervous tissue often remains poorly understood, partially due to the lack of laboratory models. Here, we investigated the neuroinvasion of the mouse spinal cord by Trichobilharzia regenti (Schistosomatidae). Active migration of T. regenti schistosomula through the mouse spinal cord induced motor deficits in hindlimbs but did not affect the general locomotion or working memory. Histological examination of the infected spinal cord revealed eosinophilic meningomyelitis with eosinophil-rich infiltrates entrapping the schistosomula. Flow cytometry and transcriptomic analysis of the spinal cord confirmed massive activation of the host immune response. Of note, we recorded striking upregulation of the major histocompatibility complex II pathway and M2-associated markers, such as arginase or chitinase-like 3. Arginase also dominated the proteins found in the microdissected tissue from the close vicinity of the migrating schistosomula, which unselectively fed on the host nervous tissue. Next, we evaluated the pathological sequelae of T. regenti neuroinvasion. While no demyelination or blood-brain barrier alterations were noticed, our transcriptomic data revealed a remarkable disruption of neurophysiological functions not yet recorded in helminth neuroinfections. We also detected DNA fragmentation at the host-schistosomulum interface, but schistosomula antigens did not affect the viability of neurons and glial cells in vitro. Collectively, altered locomotion, significant disruption of neurophysiological functions, and strong M2 polarization were the most prominent features of T. regenti neuroinvasion, making it a promising candidate for further neuroinfection research. Indeed, understanding the diversity of pathogen-related neuroinflammatory processes is a prerequisite for developing better protective measures, treatment strategies, and diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Macháček
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Roman Leontovyč
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Šmídová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Majer
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Oldřich Vondráček
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Iveta Vojtěchová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Petrásek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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9
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Wan S, Sun X, Tang W, Wang L, Wu Z, Sun X. Exosome-Depleted Excretory-Secretory Products of the Fourth-Stage Larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis Promotes Alternative Activation of Macrophages Through Metabolic Reprogramming by the PI3K-Akt Pathway. Front Immunol 2021; 12:685984. [PMID: 34367145 PMCID: PMC8343011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.685984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC), which parasitizes in the brain of the non-permissive host, such as mouse and human, is an etiologic agent of eosinophilic meningitis. Excretory-secretory (ES) products play an important role in the interaction between parasites and hosts’ immune responses. Inflammatory macrophages are responsible for eosinophilic meningitis induced by AC, and the soluble antigens of Angiostrongylus cantonensis fourth stage larva (AC L4), a mimic of dead AC L4, aggravate eosinophilic meningitis in AC-infected mice model via promoting alternative activation of macrophages. In this study, we investigated the key molecules in the ES products of AC L4 on macrophages and observed the relationship between metabolic reprogramming and the PI3K-Akt pathway. First, a co-culture system of macrophage and AC L4 was established to define the role of AC L4 ES products on macrophage polarization. Then, AC L4 exosome and exosome-depleted excretory-secretory products (exofree) were separated from AC L4 ES products using differential centrifugation, and their distinct roles on macrophage polarization were confirmed using qPCR and ELISA experiments. Moreover, AC L4 exofree induced alternative activation of macrophages, which is partially associated with metabolic reprogramming by the PI3K-Akt pathway. Next, lectin blot and deglycosylation assay were done, suggesting the key role of N-linked glycoproteins in exofree. Then, glycoproteomic analysis of exofree and RNA-seq analysis of exofree-treated macrophage were performed. Bi-layer PPI network analysis based on these results identified macrophage-related protein Hexa as a key molecule in inducing alternative activation of macrophages. Our results indicate a great value for research of helminth-derived immunoregulatory molecules, which might contribute to drug development for immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wan
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Zhongshan School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyan Tang
- Department of Neonatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifu Wang
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Interleukin 17A Derived from γδ T Cell Induces Demyelination of the Brain in Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3968-3982. [PMID: 33904019 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02366-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection is a typical cause of eosinophilic encephalitis (EM), which has been reported to induce serious damage in the central nervous system. Both parasite and host factors contribute to the onset of EM, but the related immune-inflammation pathogenesis remains poorly characterised. An A. cantonensis infection model was generated through the infection of mice by gavage. Transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the pathologic changes in the brain. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was tested using qRT-PCR. A combination of flow cytometry and western blotting was used to evaluate the alteration of leukocytes and related cytokines. A critical role of IL-17 was found by injecting IL-17A monoclonal antibody into naïve and A. cantonensis-infected mice. A. cantonensis larvae altered the immune homeostasis in the brain, leading to the destruction of myelin sheaths and activation of microglia and macrophage. During this process, IL-17A accumulation was observed, and IL-17RA was expressed in oligodendrocytes and microglia during the infection. Notably, γδ T cell was the major origin of IL-17A production induced by the parasite. After an IL-17A-neutralising antibody was applied, alterations in myelination and the state of the microglia/macrophage were discovered; the neurobehavioural scores of the mice also improved. Our study reveals one unrecognised impact of the γδ T cells in parasitic encephalopathy and emphasises that blocking IL-17A signalling can attenuate microglia and macrophage activation, thus reducing CNS demyelination and ameliorating the neurobehavioural deficit in A. cantonensis-infected mice.
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11
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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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12
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Waindok P, Strube C. Neuroinvasion of Toxocara canis- and T. cati-larvae mediates dynamic changes in brain cytokine and chemokine profile. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:147. [PMID: 31315623 PMCID: PMC6637622 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1537-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neurotoxocarosis (NT) is induced by larvae of the dog or cat roundworm (Toxocara canis or T. cati) migrating and persisting in the central nervous system of paratenic hosts, including humans, and may be accompanied by severe neurological symptoms. Host- or parasite-induced immunoregulatory processes contribute to the pathogenesis, but detailed data on pathogenic mechanisms and involvement of signalling molecules during cerebral Toxocara species infections are scarce. Methods To elucidate alterations in immunomodulatory mediator pattern, comprehensive multiplex bead array assays profiling comprising 23 different cytokines and chemokines were performed during the course of T. canis- and T. cati-induced NT. To this end, cerebra and cerebella of experimentally infected C57Bl/6 J mice serving as paratenic host models were analysed at six different time points (days 7, 14, 28, 42, 70 and 98) post infectionem (pi). Results Brain-body mass ratios of T. canis and T. cati-infected mice were significantly lower than those of the uninfected control group at day 14 pi, and also at day 28 pi for T. canis-infected mice. Both infection groups showed a continuous decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, GM-CSF and IL-6, in the cerebrum over the course of infection. Additionally, T. canis but not T. cati-induced neurotoxocarosis was characterised by significantly elevated levels of anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-5 in the cerebrum in the acute and subacute phase of the disease. The higher neuroaffinity of T. canis led to a prominent increase of eotaxin and MIP-1α in both the cerebrum and cerebellum, while in T. cati-infected mice, these chemokines were significantly elevated only in the cerebellum. Conclusions The direct comparison of T. canis- and T. cati-induced NT provides valuable insights into key regulatory mechanisms of Toxocara species in paratenic hosts. The cerebral cyto-/chemokine milieu is shifted to a predominantly anti-inflammatory immune response during NT, possibly enabling both survival of the parasite and the neuroinfected paratenic host. Alteration of eotaxin and MIP-1α concentrations are congruent with the higher neuroaffinity of T. canis and species-specific tropism of T. canis to the cerebrum and T. cati to the cerebellum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-019-1537-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Waindok
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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13
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2-carba cyclic phosphatidic acid suppresses inflammation via regulation of microglial polarisation in the stab-wounded mouse cerebral cortex. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9715. [PMID: 29946114 PMCID: PMC6018705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by physical damage to the brain and it induces blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and inflammation. To diminish the sequelae of TBI, it is important to decrease haemorrhage and alleviate inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of 2-carba-cyclic phosphatidic acid (2ccPA) on the repair mechanisms after a stab wound injury as a murine TBI model. The administration of 2ccPA suppressed serum immunoglobulin extravasation after the injury. To elucidate the effects of 2ccPA on inflammation resulting from TBI, we analysed the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines. We found that 2ccPA prevents a TBI-induced increase in the mRNA expression of Il-1β, Il-6, Tnf-α and Tgf-β1. In addition, 2ccPA reduces the elevation of Iba1 levels. These data suggest that 2ccPA attenuates the inflammation after a stab wound injury via the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines release from microglial cells. Therefore, we focused on the function of 2ccPA in microglial polarisation towards M1 or M2 phenotypes. The administration of 2ccPA decreased the number of M1 and increased the number of M2 type microglial cells, indicating that 2ccPA modulates the microglial polarisation and shifts them towards M2 phenotype. These data suggest that 2ccPA treatment suppresses the extent of BBB breakdown and inflammation after TBI.
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14
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Polis B, Polis L, Zeman K, Paśnik J, Nowosławska E. Unexpected eosinophilia in children affected by hydrocephalus accompanied with shunt infection. Childs Nerv Syst 2018; 34:2399-2405. [PMID: 30032408 PMCID: PMC6224006 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-018-3908-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the article is to describe an immunological reaction to shunt infection in children with hydrocephalus. The main cause of shunt infection involves methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (Bhatia et al. Indian J Med Microbiol 35:120-123, 2017; Hayhurst et al. Childs Nerv Syst 24:557-562, 2008; Martínez-Lage et al. Childs Nerv Syst 26: 1795-1798, 2010; Simon et al. PLoS One, 2014; Snowden et al. PLoS One 8:e84089, 2013; Turgut et al. Pediatr Neurosurg 41:131-136, 2005), a bacterial strain which is responsible for the formation of biofilm on contaminated catheters (Snowden et al. PLoS One 8:e84089, 2013; Stevens et al. Br J of Neurosurg 26: 792-797, 2012). METHODS The study group involved 30 children with congenital hydrocephalus after shunt system implantation, whose procedures were complicated by S. epidermidis implant infection. Thirty children with congenital hydrocephalus awaiting their first-time shunt implantation formed the control group. The level of eosinophils in peripheral blood was assessed in both groups. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined for protein level, pleocytosis, interleukins, CCL26/Eotaxin-3, IL-5, IL-6, CCL11/Eotaxin-1, CCL3/MIP-1a, and MBP. Three measurements were performed in the study group. The first measurement was obtained at the time of shunt infection diagnosis, the second one at the time of the first sterile shunt, and the third one at the time of shunt reimplantation. In the control group, blood and CSF samples were taken once, at the time of shunt implantation. RESULTS In the clinical material, the highest values of eosinophils in peripheral blood and CSF pleocytosis were observed in the second measurement. It was accompanied by an increase in the majority of analyzed CSF interleukins. CONCLUSION CSF pleocytosis observed in the study group shortly after CSF sterilization is presumably related to an allergic reaction to Staphylococcus epidermidis, the causative agent of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Polis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska st 281/289, 93-338 Łódź, Poland
| | - Lech Polis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska st 281/289, 93-338 Łódź, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zeman
- Department of Pediatrics and Immunology with Nephrology Unit, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska st 281/289, 93-338 Łódź, Poland
| | - Jarosław Paśnik
- Department of Pediatrics and Immunology with Nephrology Unit, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska st 281/289, 93-338 Łódź, Poland
| | - Emilia Nowosławska
- Department of Neurosurgery, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska st 281/289, 93-338, Łódź, Poland.
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15
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Chen KY, Wang LC. Stimulation of IL-1β and IL-6 through NF-κB and sonic hedgehog-dependent pathways in mouse astrocytes by excretory/secretory products of fifth-stage larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:445. [PMID: 28950910 PMCID: PMC5615811 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. Previous studies have shown that the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway may reduce cell apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress in A. cantonensis infection. In this study, we investigated the relationship between cytokine secretion and Shh pathway activation after treatment with excretory/secretory products (ESP) of fifth-stage larval A. cantonensis (L5). RESULTS The results showed that IL-1β and IL-6 levels in mouse astrocytes were increased. Moreover, ESP stimulated the protein expression of Shh pathway molecules, including Shh, Ptch, Smo and Gli-1, and induced IL-1β and IL-6 secretion. The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays an important role in inflammation, and it regulates the expression of proinflammatory genes, including cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α. After ESP treatment, NF-κB induced IL-1β and IL-6 secretion in astrocytes by activating the Shh signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the data presented in this study showed that ESP of fifth-stage larval A. cantonensis stimulates astrocyte activation and cytokine generation through NF-κB and the Shh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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16
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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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17
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Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Labra-Barrios ML, Díaz-Cintra S, Aguilar-Vázquez AR, Moreno-Campuzano S, Flores-Rodríguez P, Luna-Herrera C, Mena R, Perry G, Florán-Garduño B, Luna-Muñoz J, Luna-Arias JP. Fibrillar Amyloid-β Accumulation Triggers an Inflammatory Mechanism Leading to Hyperphosphorylation of the Carboxyl-Terminal End of Tau Polypeptide in the Hippocampal Formation of the 3×Tg-AD Transgenic Mouse. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:243-69. [PMID: 27031470 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative and irreversible disorder whose progressiveness is dependent on age. It is histopathologically characterized by the massive accumulation of insoluble forms of tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) asneurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques, respectively. Many studies have documented that these two polypeptides suffer several posttranslational modifications employing postmortem tissue sections from brains of patients with AD. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the posttranslational modifications of key players in this disease, including Aβ and tau, several transgenic mouse models have been developed. One of these models is the 3×Tg-AD transgenic mouse, carrying three transgenes encoding APPSWE, S1M146V, and TauP301L proteins. To further characterize this transgenicmouse, we determined the accumulation of fibrillar Aβ as a function of age in relation to the hyperphosphorylation patterns of TauP301L at both its N- and C-terminus in the hippocampal formation by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Moreover, we searched for the expression of activated protein kinases and mediators of inflammation by western blot of wholeprotein extracts from hippocampal tissue sections since 3 to 28 months as well. Our results indicate that the presence of fibrillar Aβ deposits correlates with a significant activation of astrocytes and microglia in subiculum and CA1 regions of hippocampus. Accordingly, we also observed a significant increase in the expression of TNF-α associated to neuritic plaques and glial cells. Importantly, there is an overexpression of the stress activated protein kinases SAPK/JNK and Cdk-5 in pyramidal neurons, which might phosphorylate several residues at the C-terminus of TauP301L. Therefore, the accumulation of Aβ oligomers results in an inflammatory environment that upregulates kinases involved in hyperphosphorylation of TauP301L polypeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Ontiveros-Torres
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - María Luisa Labra-Barrios
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sofía Díaz-Cintra
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro., México
| | | | - Samadhi Moreno-Campuzano
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Paola Flores-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México.,Present address: Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Dgo., México
| | - Claudia Luna-Herrera
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Campus Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Raúl Mena
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Benjamín Florán-Garduño
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- Banco Nacional de Cerebros, Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
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Nitric oxide and cytokine production by glial cells exposed in vitro to neuropathogenic schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:579. [PMID: 27842570 PMCID: PMC5109812 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1869-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Helminth neuroinfections represent a serious health problem, but host immune mechanisms in the nervous tissue often remain undiscovered. This study aims at in vitro characterization of the response of murine astrocytes and microglia exposed to Trichobilharzia regenti which is a neuropathogenic schistosome migrating through the central nervous system of vertebrate hosts. Trichobilharzia regenti infects birds and mammals in which it may cause severe neuromotor impairment. This study was focused on astrocytes and microglia as these are immunocompetent cells of the nervous tissue and their activation was recently observed in T. regenti-infected mice. Results Primary astrocytes and microglia were exposed to several stimulants of T. regenti origin. Living schistosomulum-like stages caused increased secretion of IL-6 in astrocyte cultures, but no changes in nitric oxide (NO) production were noticed. Nevertheless, elevated parasite mortality was observed in these cultures. Soluble fraction of the homogenate from schistosomulum-like stages stimulated NO production by both astrocytes and microglia, and IL-6 and TNF-α secretion in astrocyte cultures. Similarly, recombinant cathepsins B1.1 and B2 triggered IL-6 and TNF-α release in astrocyte and microglia cultures, and NO production in astrocyte cultures. Stimulants had no effect on production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 or TGF-β1. Conclusions Both astrocytes and microglia are capable of production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α following in vitro exposure to various stimulants of T. regenti origin. Astrocytes might be involved in triggering the tissue inflammation in the early phase of T. regenti infection and are proposed to participate in destruction of migrating schistosomula. However, NO is not the major factor responsible for parasite damage. Both astrocytes and microglia can be responsible for the nervous tissue pathology and maintaining the ongoing inflammation since they are a source of NO and proinflammatory cytokines which are released after exposure to parasite antigens. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1869-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Wu F, Wei J, Liu Z, Zeng X, Yu Z, Lv Z, Sun X, Wu Z. Soluble antigen derived from IV larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis promotes chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3) expression induced by interleukin-13. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3737-46. [PMID: 27256220 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) is an emerging food-borne parasitic disease, which refers basically to eosinophilic meningitis. Chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3), a member of chitinase-like protein family which has chemotactic activity for eosinophils, is reported to be highly upregulated in brain of mouse infected with A. cantonensis. The mechanisms of high expression of Chil3 and the association between A. cantonensis and Chil3 are rarely reported. In order to understand the mechanism of high expression of Chil3 in A. cantonensis-infected mouse, we measured the level of Chil3 in RAW 264.7 and BV2 cell lines stimulated with soluble antigen of A. cantonensis by qPCR and ELISA. To explore the role of Chil3 in inflammation caused by A. cantonensis, we extracted and cultured brain mononuclear cells (BMNCs) and detected the eosinophil chemotactic activity of Chil3 using transwell assay and flow cytometer. Furthermore, we treated the infected mice by injection with rmChil3 and then counted the number of larvae in brains of infected mice and treated mice to examine the association between the worm and Chil3. Our results showed the soluble antigen from A. cantonensis could promote the Chil3 expression in macrophage and microglial cell lines induced by interleukin-13. In conclusion, we supposed that high expression of Chil3 enhanced by soluble antigens from A. cantonensis might be the reason of serious eosinophil infiltration in mouse brain after A. cantonensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wu
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zilong Yu
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 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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