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Montazeri M, Nakhaei M, Fakhar M, Pazoki H, Pagheh AS, Nazar E, Zakariaei Z, Mirzaeian H, Sharifpour A, Banimostafavi ES, Musavi F, Rasouli K, Soleymani M, Moradi E. Exploring the Association Between Latent Toxoplasma gondii Infection and COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: First Registry-Based Study. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1172-1179. [PMID: 35545737 PMCID: PMC9094600 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00559-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to determine the possible association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and COVID-19 outcomes among 133 patients with an RT-PCR-positive test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hospitalized at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, during August to November 2020. Methods A questionnaire was used to collect baseline data from the patients who were registered to the Iranian National Registry Center for Toxoplasmosis (INRCT). Also, blood samples were taken from each patient for detecting anti-T. gondii antibodies and T. gondii DNA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional-PCR methods, respectively. Variables related to the COVID-19 severity and outcomes were indicated based on multiple multinomial logistic regression models. Results Of 133 patients enrolled in the INRCT with COVID-19 through RT-PCR, 50 (37.59%), 52 (39.1%), and 31 (23%) suffered from mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, respectively. 57.1% of the patients who died had severe COVID-19, while among those with other outcomes, only 18.60% had severe COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 109/133 (81.95%) patients, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Among those with negative and positive anti-T. gondii IgG, 2 (8.30%) and 29 (26.60%) had severe COVID-19, respectively (P > 0.05). T. gondii DNA and anti-T. gondii IgM were not found in any of the patients. Moreover, all deaths occurred in those with moderate or severe COVID-19 and a positive anti-T. gondii IgG. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first registry-based study concerning T. gondii infection among patients with COVID-19. Our data show the high rate of latent T. gondii infection among COVID-19 with different severity. However, there is no significant relationship between latent T. gondii infection and COVID-19 severity and outcomes. Thus, conducting multicenter studies in different geographic regions of the world could offer a better understanding of this relationship.
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protist infecting a wide group of warm-blooded animals, ranging from birds to humans. While this infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can also lead to severe ocular or neurological outcomes in immunocompromised individuals or in developing fetuses. This obligate intracellular parasite has the ability to infect a considerable range of nucleated cells and can propagate in the intermediate host. Yet, under the pressure of the immune system it transforms into an encysted persistent form residing primarily in the brain and muscle tissues. Encysted parasites, which are resistant to current medication, may reactivate and give rise to an acute infection. The clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis depends on a complex balance between the host immune response and parasite virulence factors. Susceptibility to the disease is thus determined by both parasite strains and host species. Recent advances on our understanding of host cell-parasite interactions and parasite virulence have brought new insights into the pathophysiology of T. gondii infection and are summarized here.
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The role of IL-12 in stimulating NK cells against Toxoplasma gondii infection: a mini-review. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2303-2309. [PMID: 34110502 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07204-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can remarkably infect, survive, and replicate in almost all mammalian cells and can cause severe neurological and ocular damage in immunocompromised individuals. It is known that Natural Killer cells (NK cells), as a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte, have critical protective roles in innate immunity during the T. gondii infection through releasing interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a pivotal critical cytokine for the generation of IFN-γ-producing NK cells. Several studies have shown cytokines' impact on NK cell activation; and IL-2 has an important role with a potent stimulatory factor for NK cells. In this review, we summarized the mechanism of interleukin-12 production stimulation by T. gondii tachyzoites and discussed several factors affecting this mechanism.
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de Faria Junior GM, Murata FHA, Lorenzi HA, Castro BBP, Assoni LCP, Ayo CM, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC. The Role of microRNAs in the Infection by T. gondii in Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670548. [PMID: 34055667 PMCID: PMC8160463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are molecules belonging to an evolutionarily conserved family of small non-coding RNAs, which act on post-transcriptional gene regulation, causing messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or inhibiting mRNA translation into proteins. These molecules represent potential biomarkers for diagnosis, non-invasive prognosis, and monitoring the development of the disease. Moreover, they may provide additional information on the pathophysiology of parasitic infections and guide strategies for treatment. The Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies the levels of microRNAs and mRNAs in infected host cells by modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses, facilitating its survival within the host. Some studies have shown that microRNAs are promising molecular markers for developing diagnostic tools for human toxoplasmosis. MicroRNAs can be detected in human specimens collected using non-invasive procedures. changes in the circulating host microRNAs have been associated with T. gondii infection in mice and ocular toxoplasmosis in humans. Besides, microRNAs can be amplified from samples using sensitive and molecular-specific approaches such as real-time PCR. This review presents recent findings of the role that microRNAs play during T. gondii infection and discuss their potential use of these small nuclei acid molecules to different approaches such as laboratory diagnosis, modulation of cell and tissue infected as other potential applications in human toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela de Faria Junior
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | | | - Bruno Bello Pede Castro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Carolina Paraboli Assoni
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Christiane Maria Ayo
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fisch
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Clough
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Lima TS, Lodoen MB. Mechanisms of Human Innate Immune Evasion by Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:103. [PMID: 31041194 PMCID: PMC6476913 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite of global importance that can remarkably infect, survive, and replicate in nearly all mammalian cells. Notably, 110 years after its discovery, Toxoplasmosis is still a neglected parasitic infection. Although most human infections with T. gondii are mild or asymptomatic, T. gondii infection can result in life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals and in the developing fetus due to congenital infection, underscoring the role of the host immune system in controlling the parasite. Recent evidence indicates that T. gondii elicits a robust innate immune response during infection. Interestingly, however, T. gondii has evolved strategies to successfully bypass or manipulate the immune system and establish a life-long infection in infected hosts. In particular, T. gondii manipulates host immunity through the control of host gene transcription and dysregulation of signaling pathways that result in modulation of cell adhesion and migration, secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines, production of microbicidal molecules, and apoptosis. Many of these host-pathogen interactions are governed by parasite effector proteins secreted from the apical secretory organelles, including the rhoptries and dense granules. Here, we review recent findings on mechanisms by which T. gondii evades host innate immunity, with a focus on parasite evasion of the human innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane S Lima
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and the Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Melissa B Lodoen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and the Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Zare-Bidaki M, Assar S, Hakimi H, Abdollahi SH, Nosratabadi R, Kennedy D, Arababadi MK. TGF-β in Toxoplasmosis: Friend or foe? Cytokine 2016; 86:29-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Ribeiro CDM, Zorgi NE, Meireles LR, Garcia JL, Andrade Junior HFD. CD19 LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis IN C57BL/6 MICE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH Toxoplasma gondii. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:26. [PMID: 27074320 PMCID: PMC4826079 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is frequently acquired through the oral route by the ingestion of cysts
or oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Once ingested, the parasites
penetrate the intestinal epithelial cells and rapidly disseminate to all organs in
the host. During T. gondii infection, the intestinal microbiota
plays an important role in stimulating a protective immune response against the
parasite. In this sense the use of probiotics is worthy of note since they are live
microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the host through stimulation of the
immune response that can be important in the control of T. gondii
proliferation and dissemination in the host. In the present study, the action of the
probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis
was investigated in C57BL/6 mice infected with oocysts of ME49 strain of T.
gondii. The probiotic had an immunomodulatory action, inducing CD19
lymphocyte proliferation and consequently increasing anti-T. gondii
antibody level.Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactisprovided protection in supplemented mice, compared to the
control group. In addition, supplemented animals had milder inflammatory process in
the small intestine, indicating that the probiotic protects the intestinal mucosa
during infection with T. gondii. It was concluded that the
probioticB. animalis subsp. lactis induces
humoral immune response capable of providing protection against T.
gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil,
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Intracellular Networks of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways for Regulating Toxoplasma gondii-Induced IL-23 and IL-12 Production in Human THP-1 Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141550. [PMID: 26528819 PMCID: PMC4631599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-12 are closely related in structure, and these cytokines regulate both innate and adaptive immunity. However, the precise signaling networks that regulate the production of each in Toxoplasma gondii-infected THP-1 monocytic cells, particularly the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways, remain unknown. In the present study, T. gondii infection upregulated the expression of IL-23 and IL-12 in THP-1 cells, and both cytokines increased with parasite dose. IL-23 secretion was strongly inhibited by TLR2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in a dose-dependent manner and by TLR2 siRNA transfection, whereas IL-12 secretion was strongly inhibited by TLR4 mAb treatment dose-dependently and by TLR4 siRNA transfection. IL-23 production was dose-dependently inhibited by the PI3K inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin, whereas IL-12 production increased dose-dependently. THP-1 cells exposed to live T. gondii tachyzoites underwent rapid p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK activation. IL-23 production was significantly upregulated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 dose-dependently, whereas pretreatment with 10 μM SB203580 significantly downregulated IL-12 production. ERK1/2 inhibition by PD98059 was significantly downregulated IL-23 production but upregulated IL-12 production. JNK inhibition by SP600125 upregulated IL-23 production, but IL-12 production was significantly downregulated dose-dependently. T. gondii infection resulted in AKT activation, and AKT phosphorylation was inhibited dose-dependently after pretreatment with PI3K inhibitors. In T. gondii-infected THP-1 cells, ERK1/2 activation was regulated by PI3K; however, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK was negatively modulated by the PI3K signaling pathway. Collectively, these results indicate that IL-23 production in T. gondii-infected THP-1 cells was regulated mainly by TLR2 and then by PI3K and ERK1/2; however, IL-12 production was mainly regulated by TLR4 and then by p38 MAPK and JNK. Our findings provide new insight concerning the intracellular networks of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling cascades for regulating T. gondii-induced IL-23 and IL-12 secretion in human monocytic cells.
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Salazar Gonzalez RM, Shehata H, O'Connell MJ, Yang Y, Moreno-Fernandez ME, Chougnet CA, Aliberti J. Toxoplasma gondii- derived profilin triggers human toll-like receptor 5-dependent cytokine production. J Innate Immun 2014; 6:685-94. [PMID: 24861338 DOI: 10.1159/000362367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to a third of the world's population is infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Natural infection in humans can be life threatening during pregnancy and in immunocompromised individuals. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 11 is the mouse innate sensor that recognizes T. gondii profilin; however, in humans the TLR11 gene leads to transcription of no functional protein. Herein, by using a multiple sequence alignment phylogenetic analysis program between human and mouse species, we found that human TLR5 seems to be the evolutionarily closest member of the TLR gene family to mouse tlr11. We therefore asked whether human TLR5 could mediate IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12p70 production in response to the T. gondii profilin. We found that this was the case both in human cell lines as well as peripheral blood monocytes. Moreover, TLR5 neutralization and gene silencing mediated specific ablation of cytokine production after profilin exposure. Finally, peripheral blood monocytes carrying the TLR5 R392X mutation failed to produce cytokines in response to stimulation with profilin. Taken together, the results presented herein reveal a previously unappreciated cross-recognition of a relevant human pathogen-derived pathogen-associated molecular pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Salazar Gonzalez
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Quan JH, Zhou W, Cha GH, Choi IW, Shin DW, Lee YH. Kinetics of IL-23 and IL-12 secretion in response to Toxoplasma gondii antigens from THP-1 monocytic cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:85-92. [PMID: 23467650 PMCID: PMC3587754 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.1.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
IL-23 and IL-12 are structurally similar and critical for the generation of efficient cellular immune responses. Toxoplasma gondii induces a strong cell-mediated immune response. However, little is known about IL-23 secretion profiles in T. gondii-infected immune cells in connection with IL-12. We compared the patterns of IL-23 and IL-12 production by THP-1 human monocytic cells in response to stimulation with live or heat-killed T. gondii tachyzoites, or with equivalent quantities of either T. gondii excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) or soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAg). IL-23 and IL-12 were significantly increased from 6 hr after stimulation with T. gondii antigens, and their secretions were increased with parasite dose-dependent manner. IL-23 concentrations were significantly higher than those of IL-12 at the same multiplicity of infection. IL-23 secretion induced by live parasites was significantly higher than that by heat-killed parasites, ESP, or STAg, whereas IL-12 secretion by live parasite was similar to those of ESP or STAg. However, the lowest levels of both cytokines were at stimulation with heat-killed parasites. These data indicate that IL-23 secretion patterns by stimulation with various kinds of T. gondii antigens at THP-1 monocytic cells are similar to those of IL-12, even though the levels of IL-23 induction were significantly higher than those of IL-12. The detailed kinetics induced by each T. gondii antigen were different from each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Infection Biology and Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 301-131, Korea
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Immune response and immunopathology during toxoplasmosis. Semin Immunopathol 2012; 34:793-813. [PMID: 22955326 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-012-0339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite of medical and veterinary significance that is able to infect any warm-blooded vertebrate host. In addition to its importance to public health, several inherent features of the biology of T. gondii have made it an important model organism to study host-pathogen interactions. One factor is the genetic tractability of the parasite, which allows studies on the microbial factors that affect virulence and allows the development of tools that facilitate immune studies. Additionally, mice are natural hosts for T. gondii, and the availability of numerous reagents to study the murine immune system makes this an ideal experimental system to understand the functions of cytokines and effector mechanisms involved in immunity to intracellular microorganisms. In this article, we will review current knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune responses required for resistance to toxoplasmosis, the events that lead to the development of immunopathology, and the natural regulatory mechanisms that limit excessive inflammation during this infection.
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Nam HW, Ahn HJ, Yang HJ. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression of spleen dendritic cells in mouse toxoplasmosis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2011; 49:109-14. [PMID: 21738265 PMCID: PMC3121066 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2011.49.2.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells have been known as a member of strong innate immune cells against infectious organelles. In this study, we evaluated the cytokine expression of splenic dendritic cells in chronic mouse toxoplasmosis by tissue cyst-forming Me49 strain and demonstrated the distribution of lymphoid dendritic cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 increased rapidly at week 1 post-infection (PI) and peaked at week 3 PI. Serum IL-10 level followed the similar patterns. FACS analysis showed that the number of CD8α+/CD11c+ splenic dendritic cells increased at week 1 and peaked at week 3 PI. In conclusion, mouse splenic dendritic cells showed early and rapid cytokine changes and may have important protective roles in early phases of murine toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Woo Nam
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
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Cytokine profile in murine toxoplasmosis. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2011; 4:16-9. [PMID: 21771408 DOI: 10.1016/s1995-7645(11)60024-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate which cytokines are produced after acute infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii (T. Gondii) RH strain. METHODS Mus domesticus domesticus mice in infected group were inoculated with with highly virulent T. Gondii RH strain by intraperitoneally. Serum samples were obtained from infected and non-infected mice for cytokine levels for ELISA assay. RESULTS The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 in the cardiac blood sample of the infected mice were significantly higher than those in uninfected controls (P<0.05). The levels of transforming growth factor-1β decreased in mice infected with T. gondii compared to those of the controls, the decrease was statistically significant (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in levels of IL-4 between infected and healty control groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS According to our findings, immune response into T helper type 1 was predominant during acute T. gondii infection. Further characterization and purification of Toxoplasma molecule(s) implicated in the regulation of cytokines could lead to the development of new drug prospects to control Toxoplasma infection.
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Pyo KH, Jung BK, Chai JY, Shin EH. Suppressed CD31 expression in sarcoma-180 tumors after injection with Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen in BALB/c mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2010; 48:171-4. [PMID: 20585536 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.2.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The anti-tumorigenic effects of Toxoplasma gondii (RH) antigens were studied in a murine sarcoma-180 tumor model. To determine the anti-tumor effects, the reduction in tumor size and expression of CD31 (an angiogenesis marker in the tumor tissue) were examined after injection of BALB/c mice with T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA) or formalin-fixed, proliferation-inhibited, T. gondii tachyzoites. Tumors were successfully produced by an intradermal injection of sarcoma-180 cells with plain Matrigel in the mid-backs of mice. After injection with TLA or formalin-fixed T. gondii tachyzoites, the increase in tumor size and weight nearly stopped while tumor growth continued in control mice that were injected with PBS. CD31 expression in TLA-treated or formalin-fixed T. gondii-injected mice was lower than the control mice. Accordingly, the present study shows that the treatment of mice with formalin-fixed T. gondii or TLA in the murine sarcoma-180 tumor model results in a decrease of both tumor size and CD31 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lee EJ, Heo YM, Choi JH, Song HO, Ryu JS, Ahn MH. Suppressed production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by LPS-activated macrophages after treatment with Toxoplasma gondii lysate. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2008; 46:145-51. [PMID: 18830053 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2008.46.3.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
During Toxoplasma gondii infection, macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils are important sources of pro-inflammatory cytokines from the host. To counteract the pro-inflammatory activities, T. gondii is known to have several mechanisms inducing down-regulation of the host immunity. In the present study, we analyzed the production of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines from a human myelomonocytic cell line, THP-1 cells, in response to treatment with T. gondii lysate or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment of THP-1 cells with LPS induced production of IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-8, and IL-10. Co-treatment of THP-1 cells with T. gondii lysate inhibited the LPS-induced IL-12, IL-8 and TNF-alpha expression, but increased the level of IL-10 synergistically. IL-12 and IL-10 production was down-regulated by anti-human toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR4 antibodies. T. gondii lysate triggered nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent IL-8 expression in HEK293 cells transfected with TLR2. It is suggested that immunosuppression induced by T. gondii lysate treatment might occur via TLR2-mediated NF-kappaB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jung Lee
- Department of Parasitology and Institute of Biomedical Science, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 133-791, Korea
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PFAFF AW, GEORGES S, CANDOLFI E. Different effect ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection on adhesion capacity of fibroblasts and monocytes. Parasite Immunol 2008; 30:487-90. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2008.01047.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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