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Huang Z, Liu X, Huang S, Lu F. Galectin-receptor interaction: a key player in liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:232. [PMID: 38769548 PMCID: PMC11106894 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma japonicum eggs lodge in the liver and induce a fibrotic granulomatous immune response in the liver of host. Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is a protein implicated in fibrosis in multiple organs. However, the pathology and molecular mechanisms promoting hepatic granuloma formation remain poorly understood. METHODS To investigate the effect of blocking galectin-receptor interactions by α-lactose on liver immunopathology in mice with S. japonicum infection, C57BL/6 mice were infected with S. japonicum and alpha (α)-lactose was intraperitoneally injected to block the interactions of galectins and their receptors. RESULTS Compared with S. japonicum-infected mice, there were significantly decreased Gal-3 mRNA and protein expression levels, decreased intensity of Gal-3 fluorescence in the liver, decreased serum ALT and AST levels, decreased egg numbers of S. japonicum in the liver section, attenuated hepatic and spleen pathology, and alleviated liver fibrosis accompanied with decreased protein expression levels of fibrosis markers [α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and collagen IV] in the liver of S. japonicum-infected mice blocked galectin-receptor interactions with hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, or Western blot analysis. Compared with S. japonicum-infected mice, blocking galectin-receptor interactions led to increased eosinophil infiltration and higher eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) expression in the liver, accompanied by increased mRNA levels of eosinophil granule proteins [ECP and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO)], IL-5, CCL11, and CCR3 in the liver and decreased mRNA levels of Gal-3 and M2 macrophage cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-4) in the liver and spleen by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In addition, there were increased Beclin1 protein expression and protein expression ratio of LC3B-II/LC3B-I and decreased p62 protein expression and protein expression ratios of phospho-mTOR/mTOR and phospho-AKT/AKT by Western blot; increased double-labeled F4/80+/LC3B+ cells by immunofluorescence staining; increased M1 macrophage polarization in the liver of S. japonicum-infected mice blocked galectin-receptor interactions by flow cytometric analysis and immunofluorescence staining. CONCLUSIONS Our data found that blockage of galectin-receptor interactions downregulated Gal-3, which in turn led to reduced liver functional damage, elevated liver eosinophil recruitment, promoted macrophage autophagy through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and alleviated liver pathology and fibrosis. Therefore, Gal-3 plays a pivotal role during S. japonicum infection and could be a target of pharmacologic potential for liver fibrosis induced by S. japonicum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyun Huang
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingzhuo Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiguang Huang
- Shenzhen Nanyou Malt Dentistry Out-Patient Department, Shengzhen, China
- School of Stomatology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease of the Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Roeb E. Interleukin-13 (IL-13)-A Pleiotropic Cytokine Involved in Wound Healing and Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12884. [PMID: 37629063 PMCID: PMC10454844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver, as a central metabolic organ, is systemically linked to metabolic-inflammatory diseases. In the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory and metabolic interactions between the intestine, liver, and adipose tissue lead to the progression of hepatic steatosis to metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and consecutive MASH-induced fibrosis. Clinical and animal studies revealed that IL-13 might be protective in the development of MASH through both the preservation of metabolic functions and Th2-polarized inflammation in the liver and the adipose tissue. In contrast, IL-13-associated loss of mucosal gut barrier function and IL-13-associated enhanced hepatic fibrosis may contribute to the progression of MASH. However, there are only a few publications on the effect of IL-13 on metabolic diseases and possible therapies to influence them. In this review article, different aspects of IL-13-associated effects on the liver and metabolic liver diseases, which are partly contradictory, are summarized and discussed on the basis of the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Roeb
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Klinikstr. 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Miranda GS, Rodrigues JGM, Resende SD, Camelo GMA, Silva JKADO, Dos Santos JCR, Silva-Souza N, Pereira FB, Furtado LFV, Rabelo ÉML, Negrão-Corrêa D. From field to laboratory: isolation, genetic assessment, and parasitological behavior of Schistosoma mansoni obtained from naturally infected wild rodent Holochilus sciureus (Rodentia, Cricetidae), collected in Northeastern Brazil. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:395-411. [PMID: 36534238 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07710-5] [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: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Wild rodent species are naturally infected by Schistosoma mansoni; however, the genetic characterization of the parasite, its parasitological features, and its role in human schistosomiasis are poorly understood. In this study, we isolated and characterized Schistosoma from naturally infected Holochilus sciureus, called HS strain, collected from a schistosomiasis endemic region in Maranhão State, Brazil. To isolate the parasite, miracidia obtained from the livers of H. sciureus were used to infect Biomphalaria glabrata of sympatric (called SB) and allopatric (called BH) strains, and the produced cercariae were subcutaneously inoculated into hamsters and/or BALB/c mice. Parasitological kinetics in experimentally infected hosts were evaluated, and the tRNACys-12S (referred to as 16S herein) and cox 1 regions of mtDNA from isolated worms were amplified and sequenced. Only miracidia obtained from infected mice, but not from hamsters, were capable of infecting B. glabrata, allowing maintenance of the isolated parasite. Cox1 and 16S mtDNA sequences showed 100% similarity with S. mansoni, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the HS strain of S. mansoni forms an assemblage with isolates from America and Kenya, confirming the conspecificity. Experimental infection of B. glabrata SB with S. mansoni HS resulted in two peaks of cercariae shedding at 45 and 70 days post-infection (dpi) and caused higher mortality than in B. glabrata BH. The worm recovery rate in mice was approximately 13%, and the peak of egg elimination occurred at the 10th week post-infection. Therefore, S. mansoni obtained from H. sciureus was successfully isolated, genetically characterized, and maintained in mice, allowing further study of this schistosome strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Silva Miranda
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, Brazil
| | - João Gustavo Mendes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | - Samira Diniz Resende
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | - Genil Mororó Araújo Camelo
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | | | - Jose Carlos Reis Dos Santos
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | - Nêuton Silva-Souza
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Felipe Bisaggio Pereira
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Viana Furtado
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Élida Mara Leite Rabelo
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil
| | - Deborah Negrão-Corrêa
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31.270-010, Brazil.
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Malta KK, Palazzi C, Neves VH, Aguiar Y, Silva TP, Melo RCN. Schistosomiasis Mansoni-Recruited Eosinophils: An Overview in the Granuloma Context. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10102022. [PMID: 36296298 PMCID: PMC9607553 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10102022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are remarkably recruited during schistosomiasis mansoni, one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide. These cells actively migrate and accumulate at sites of granulomatous inflammation termed granulomas, the main pathological feature of this disease. Eosinophils colonize granulomas as a robust cell population and establish complex interactions with other immune cells and with the granuloma microenvironment. Eosinophils are the most abundant cells in granulomas induced by Schistosoma mansoni infection, but their functions during this disease remain unclear and even controversial. Here, we explore the current information on eosinophils as components of Schistosoma mansoni granulomas in both humans and natural and experimental models and their potential significance as central cells triggered by this infection.
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Miranda GS, Rodrigues JGM, de Rezende MC, Resende SD, Camelo GMA, de Oliveira Silva JKA, Maggi L, Rodrigues VF, de Oliveira VG, Negrão-Corrêa DA. Experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni isolated from the wild rodent Holochilus sciureus shows a low parasite burden but induces high schistosomiasis severity in BALB/c mice. Parasitology 2022; 149:1381-1396. [PMID: 35641335 PMCID: PMC11010505 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Wild mammals, especially rodents, can participate in the life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni; however, the impact of these parasite strains on the severity of schistosomiasis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the parasitological and immunopathological alterations induced by an S. mansoni strain isolated from the wild rodent Holochilus sciureus (HS strain) and a parasite strain isolated from a human (LE strain) in experimentally infected mice. Male BALB/c mice were subcutaneously infected with 50 cercariae/mouse of either the HS or the LE strain and were evaluated for 12 weeks. In the experimental groups, the parasite burden was estimated by worm and egg (feces and tissues) count, and immunopathological alterations were evaluated in the liver and intestines. Compared to experimental infection with the LE parasite strain, HS-infected mice showed reduced number of parasite worms but higher fecundity rate, significant reduction in IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 concentrations, lower EPO-activity in liver homogenate and higher concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-17 in the small intestine homogenate. Moreover, HS infection resulted in higher concentrations of NO end-products in both the liver and intestine, suggesting a predominance of the Th1/Th17 immune response. HS-infected mice also showed higher plasma transaminase levels, formed larger granulomas, and had a higher mortality rate in comparison with LE-infected mice. Data indicate that BALB/c mice infected with the HS strain of S. mansoni showed reduced susceptibility to the parasite but stronger tissue inflammation and high disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Silva Miranda
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, Brazil
| | - João Gustavo Mendes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Michelle Carvalho de Rezende
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Samira Diniz Resende
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Genil Mororó Araújo Camelo
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Maggi
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Fernandes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Gustavo de Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Zhou M, Xue C, Wu Z, Wu X, Li M. Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies New Risk Loci for Progression of Schistosomiasis Among the Chinese Population. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:871545. [PMID: 35493725 PMCID: PMC9039613 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.871545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma japonicum infections, which lead to local inflammatory responses to schistosome eggs trapped in host tissues, can result in long-term, severe complications. The development of schistosomiasis may result from a complex interaction between the pathogenic, environmental, and host genetic components. Notably, the genetic factors that influence the development of schistosomiasis complications are poorly understood. Here we performed a genome-wide association study on multiple schistosomiasis-related phenotypes of 637 unrelated schistosomiasis patients in the Chinese population. Among three indicators of liver damage, we identified two novel, genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs34486793 (P = 1.415 × 10-8) and rs2008259 (P = 6.78 × 10-8) at locus 14q32.2 as well as a gene, PMEPA1, at 20q13.31 (index rs62205791, P = 6.52 × 10-7). These were significantly associated with serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, RASIP1 and MAMSTR at 19q13.33 (index rs62132778, P = 1.72 × 10-7) were significantly associated with serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and TPM1 at 15q22.2 (index rs12442303, P = 4.39 × 10-7) was significantly associated with serum levels of albumin. In schistosomiasis clinical signs, ITIH4 at 3p21.1 (index rs2239548) was associated with portal vein diameter (PVD) class, an indicator of portal hypertension, and OGDHL at 10q11.23 (index rs1258172) was related to ascites grade. We also detected an increased expression of these six genes in livers of mice with severe schistosomiasis. Summary data-based Mendelian randomization analyses indicated that ITIH4, PMEPA1 and MAMSTR were pleiotropically associated with PVD class, HA and AST, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhou
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Xue
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoying Wu, ; Miaoxin Li,
| | - Miaoxin Li
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Precision Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoying Wu, ; Miaoxin Li,
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