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Cabanzo-Olarte LC, Cardoso Bícego K, Navas Iannini CA. Behavioral responses during sickness in amphibians and reptiles: Concepts, experimental design, and implications for field studies. J Therm Biol 2024; 123:103889. [PMID: 38897001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103889] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
In ectothermic vertebrates, behavioral fever, where an individual actively seeks warmer areas, seems to be a primary response to pathogens. This is considered a broad and evolutionarily conserved response among vertebrates. Recent population declines in amphibians are associated with an increase of infectious disease driven largely by climate change, habitat degradation, and pollution. Immediate action through research is required to better understand and inform conservation efforts. The literature available, does not provide unifying concepts that can guide adequate experimental protocols and interpretation of data, especially when studying animals in the field. The aim of this review is to promote common understanding of terminology and facilitating improved comprehension and application of key concepts about the occurrence of both sickness behavior or behavioral fever in ectothermic vertebrates. We start with a conceptual synthesis of sickness behavior and behavioral fever, with examples in different taxa. Through this discussion we present possible paths to standardize terminology, starting from original use in endothermic tetrapods which was expanded to ectothermic vertebrates, particularly amphibians and reptiles. This conceptual expansion from humans (endothermic vertebrates) and then to ectothermic counterparts, gravitates around the concept of 'normality'. Thus, following this discussion, we highlight caveats with experimental protocols and state the need of a reference value considered normal (RVCN), which is different from experimental control and make recommendations regarding experimental procedures and stress the value of detailed documentation of behavioral responses. We also propose some future directions that could enhance interaction among disciplines, emphasizing relationships at different levels of biological organization. This is crucial given the increasing convergence of fields such as thermal physiology, immunology, and animal behavior due to emerging diseases and other global crises impacting biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Camila Cabanzo-Olarte
- Physiology Department, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Trav. 14, N 321, CEP 05508-090 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Kênia Cardoso Bícego
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University (FCAV-UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
- Physiology Department, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Trav. 14, N 321, CEP 05508-090 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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2
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Madelaire CB, Gomes FR. Relationships between hormone levels, metabolism and immune response in toads from a semi-arid region. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 338:114263. [PMID: 36931441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones (e.g. androgens [AN] and corticosterone [CORT]) modulate complex physiological functions such as reproduction, energy mobilization, metabolism, and immunity. Fluctuations in environmental resource availability along with other factors, such as parasitism, can interact with the effects of these steroids, modifying aspects of immunocompetence and its metabolic costs. To understand these possible interactions, we studied AN and CORT, immune response [swelling response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) injection and bacterial killing ability (BKA)], parasite load, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and rates of oxygen consumption after PHA injection, in two different phases of the annual cycle of a toad (Rhinella jimi) from a highly seasonal environment (Brazilian semi-arid, Caatinga). We observed increased rates of O2 consumption after both PHA and the control (saline) injection, indicating a metabolic response to adverse stimuli but not the immune challenge. Toads showing higher RMR and VO2 after the adverse stimuli (PHA/saline injection) had lower field AN and CORT plasma levels, suggesting these hormones might mediate a metabolic energy conservation strategy both at baseline levels and after adverse stimuli. Parasite load seem to impose an energetic constrain to the metabolic response to PHA and saline injection. Also, individuals showing higher PHA swelling response had higher field CORT plasma levels (particularly when males are breeding) which opposes the idea of a possible trade-off between reproductive activity and other physiological traits and indicate the immunoenhancing effects CORT elevated at physiological levels. BKA did not show a seasonal variation or correlation with body condition nor hormone levels, indicating that the immune surveillance mediated by the complement remains constant despite other ecological and physiological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla B Madelaire
- Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States.
| | - Fernando R Gomes
- University of São Paulo, Institute of Biosciences, Trav. 14 da Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.
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Assis VR, Titon SCM, Titon B, Gomes FR. The Impacts of Transdermal Application of Corticosterone on Toad (Rhinella icterica) Immunity. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1640-1653. [PMID: 35902322 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that acute physiological increases in endogenous glucocorticoid levels have immunostimulatory effects. Although post-acute stress immunosuppressive effects have also been described, the difference between enhancing and suppressing the immune response seems mediated by the stressor's duration, intensity, and the immune component under analysis. To elicit physiologically relevant corticosterone levels that can be found in Rhinella icterica toads after stressful events (e.g., restraint or captivity) and understand how acute increased glucocorticoid levels of different intensities affect corticosterone and testosterone plasma levels and immune parameters (in vitro plasma bacterial killing ability, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and in vivo phagocytosis of peritoneal leukocytes), we submitted toads to the transdermal application of two corticosterone doses (1 and 10 μg). Corticosterone transdermal application increased corticosterone plasma levels with different intensities: 3 times for 1 μg and fourteen times for 10 μg, compared to the vehicle, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio increased regardless of the corticosterone dose. However, there was no effect on testosterone levels and bacterial killing ability. Interestingly, both corticosterone doses promoted immunosuppression, decreasing peritoneal leukocytes' phagocytosis activity by 60% for toads receiving the dose of 1µg and 40% for those receiving 10 μg. Our results show the complexity of the relationship between increased corticosterone levels and immunomodulation. The different corticosterone doses promoted increases of distinct magnitudes in corticosterone plasma levels, with the less intense increase in corticosterone levels generating greater cell-mediated immunosuppression. Future studies using different corticosterone doses to achieve and compare physiological vs. pharmacological hormone levels are imperative to understanding these interrelationships between corticosterone and immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Regina Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Braz Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
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Gomes FR, Madelaire CB, Moretti EH, Titon SCM, Assis VR. Immunoendocrinology and Ecoimmunology in Brazilian Anurans. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1654-1670. [PMID: 35411921 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews several aspects of immunoendocrinology and ecoimmunology in Brazilian species of anurans under investigation for more than a decade, including (1) patterns of annual covariation of circulating steroids, calling behavior and innate immunity, (2) endocrine and immune correlates of calling performance, (3) behavioral and physiological correlates of parasite load, (4) thermal sensitivity of immune function, and (5) endocrine and immunomodulation by experimental exposure to acute and chronic stressors, as well as to endocrine manipulations and simulated infections. Integrated results have shown an immunoprotective role of increased steroid plasma levels during reproductive activity in calling males. Moreover, a higher helminth parasite load is associated with changes in several behavioral and physiological traits under field conditions. We also found anuran innate immunity is generally characterized by eurythermy, with maximal performance observed in temperatures close to normal and fever thermal preferendum. Moreover, the aerobic scope of innate immune response is decreased at fever thermal preferendum. Experimental exposure to stressors results in increased corticosterone plasma levels and immune redistribution, with an impact on immune function depending on the duration of the stress exposure. Interestingly, the fate of immunomodulation by chronic stressors also depends in part on individual body condition. Acute treatment with corticosterone generally enhances immune function, while prolonged exposure results in immunosuppression. Still, the results of hormonal treatment are complex and depend on the dose, duration of treatment, and the immune variable considered. Finally, simulated infection results in complex modulation of the expression of cytokines, increased immune function, activation of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Interrenal axis, and decreased activity of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal axis, as well as reduced melatonin plasma levels, suggesting that anurans have a functional Immune-Pineal axis, homologous to that previously described for mammals. These integrated and complementary approaches have contributed to a better understanding of physiological mechanisms and processes, as well as ecological and evolutionary implications of anuran immunoendocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brasil
| | - Carla Bonetti Madelaire
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brasil.,School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Eduardo Hermógenes Moretti
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 1730, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brasil
| | - Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brasil
| | - Vania Regina Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, 101, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brasil
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Cyrino JC, de Figueiredo AC, Córdoba-Moreno MO, Gomes FR, Titon SCM. Day Versus Night Melatonin and Corticosterone Modulation by LPS in Distinct Tissues of Toads (Rhinella Icterica). Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1606-1617. [PMID: 35568500 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns modulate melatonin (MEL) production in the pineal and extra-pineal sites and corticosterone (CORT) synthesis in the adrenal/interrenal and other tissues. Both MEL and CORT play essential and complex immunomodulatory roles, controlling the inflammatory response. Given that most of what we know about these interactions is derived from mammalian studies, discovering how MEL and CORT are modulated following an immune challenge in anurans would increase understanding of how conserved these immune-endocrine interactions are in vertebrates. Herein, we investigated the modulation of MEL and CORT in plasma vs. local tissues of toads (Rhinella icterica) in response to an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 mg/kg) at day and night. Blood samples were taken 2 hours after injection (noon and midnight), and individuals were killed for tissue collection (bone marrow, lungs, liver, and intestine). MEL and CORT were determined in plasma and tissue homogenates. LPS treatment increased MEL concentration in bone marrow during the day. Intestine MEL levels were higher at night than during the day, particularly in LPS-injected toads. Bone marrow and lungs showed the highest MEL levels among tissues. Plasma MEL levels were not affected by either the treatment or the phase. Plasma CORT levels increased in LPS-treated individuals, with an accentuated increase at night. Otherwise, CORT concentration in the tissues was not affected by LPS exposure. Modulation of MEL levels in bone marrow suggests this tissue may participate in the toad's inflammatory response assembly. Moreover, MEL and CORT levels were different in tissues, pointing to an independent modulation of hormonal concentration. Our results suggest an important role of immune challenge in modulating MEL and CORT, bringing essential insights into the hormone-immune interactions during anuran's inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Cunha Cyrino
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Aymam Cobo de Figueiredo
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Marlina Olyissa Córdoba-Moreno
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
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Ortega‐Chinchilla JE, Cabanzo‐Olarte LC, Vaz R, Lamadrid‐Feris F, Bevier CR, Navas CA. Behavioral models of hydrothermal regulation in anurans: A field study in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Eduardo Ortega‐Chinchilla
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia geral, Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Laura Camila Cabanzo‐Olarte
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia geral, Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Renata Vaz
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia geral, Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Faride Lamadrid‐Feris
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Evolutiva e Comportamento, Departamento de Fisiologia geral, Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Carlos A. Navas
- Laboratório de Ecofisiologia e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia geral, Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
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7
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Titon SCM, Titon B, Muxel SM, de Figueiredo AC, Floreste FR, Lima AS, Gomes FR, Assis VR. Day vs. night variation in the LPS effects on toad's immunity and endocrine mediators. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111184. [PMID: 35259499 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The immune-endocrine interactions following an immune challenge have been demonstrated in amphibians. When considering immune challenges, the immune-endocrine implications can vary with the injection time (day or night), a pattern not explored in amphibians. We investigated the immune response following a lipopolysaccharide - LPS injection, measured as plasma bacterial killing ability - BKA, phagocytosis of blood cells - PP, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio - NLR, splenic proinflammatory cytokines mRNA (IL-1β and IL-6), and also endocrine mediators (corticosterone - CORT and melatonin - MEL plasma levels) in Rhinella icterica adult male toads injected at day (10 am) or night (10 pm). LPS induced increases in CORT, NLR, PP, and IL-1β mRNA compared with amphibian phosphate-buffer saline-injected individuals. For plasma CORT, the response was more pronounced during the night. While for the PP and IL-1β mRNA, the effect was more evident during the day. For NLR, the increase happened at both times, day and night, in the LPS-injected toads. Meanwhile, no changes were observed in BKA, IL-6 mRNA, and MEL levels. Overall, our results demonstrated an LPS-induced inflammatory response in R. icterica toads, characterized by higher PP, NLR, and IL-1β mRNA, followed by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis (higher CORT levels). The time in which the toads received the LPS injection affected the endocrine and immune mediators. The higher CORT and lower inflammatory response at night suggested a potential functional interaction between CORT and immune reactivity associated with the differences in night vs. day in R. icterica toads. These results highlight the relevance of investigating different injection times and mechanistic pathways to understand LPS-induced immunomodulation in anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanny C M Titon
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil.
| | - Braz Titon
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra M Muxel
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Aymam C de Figueiredo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe R Floreste
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Alan S Lima
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Gomes
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Vania R Assis
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - N 101, Cidade Universitária - CEP 05508-900, SP, Brazil
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Monteiro Titon SC, Assis VR, Junior BT, Kinker GS, Queiroz Hazarbassanov NGTD, Lima AS, Oliveira Massoco CD, Fernandes PA, Gomes FR, Markus RP. Optimizing Studies of Phagocytic Activity by Flowsight Cytometry in Amphibians. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-20-00006.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vania Regina Assis
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Braz Titon Junior
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Sarti Kinker
- Laboratório de Neuroimunoendocrinologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Alan Siqueira Lima
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristina de Oliveira Massoco
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Toxicologia Aplicada, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Laboratório de Neuroimunoendocrinologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina P. Markus
- Laboratório de Cronofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Yao Z, Huang K, Qi Y. Post-exercise Hypothermia Varies Between High- and Low-Altitude Populations in the Asiatic Toad (Bufo gargarizans). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.846663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether and how poikilothermic animals change their thermal performance to cope with global warming are crucial questions to predict the future of biodiversity. Intraspecific comparison among populations that occur in different climatic zones can provide insight into how poikilotherms may alter their thermal performance under a particular climatic event. We compared populations of the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) from two altitudinal zones (3239 and 926 m above sea level) to explore variations of post-exercise hypothermia, which can lead to lower temperature preference than normal conditions. Common garden experiment was also employed to test plasticity of hypothermic performance in adult toads. As results, exhaustive exercise induced measurable reduction in body temperature for both populations. Furthermore, high-altitude population experienced larger reduction in body temperature than low-altitude conspecifics in both original habitat and common garden conditions. Therefore, low-altitude toads may to enhance their hypothermic reaction if they shift their ranges to higher altitudes to survive warming climate; However, the relatively limited plasticity of hypothermic performance may constraint their adaptative process.
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Short-term stressors and corticosterone effects on immunity in male toads ( Rhinella icterica): A neuroimmune-endocrine approach. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 13:100230. [PMID: 34589745 PMCID: PMC8474493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, it is growing the idea that stress-induced immunomodulation is bimodal: with acute stress associated with enhancing effects while chronic stress with suppressive effects. However, the immune-endocrine interactions and its implications are often overlooked in ectotherms. We investigated the impact of corticosterone (CORT) treatment and short-term stressors on CORT plasma levels and the immunity of male toads (Rhinella icterica), using three distinct protocols: restraint, immune challenge (with lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and CORT transdermal application (TA). Our results showed increased CORT and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR) regardless of the stress input (restraint, LPS challenge) or CORT TA. In the meantime, the bacterial killing ability (BKA) was not affected by any treatment, suggesting this immune parameter might be a more constitutive and robust response. Interestingly, the cellular immune response showed distinct patterns. Increased phagocytosis of blood leukocytes and phytohemagglutinin edema followed LPS and CORT TA (15 μg), respectively. In contrast, the phagocytosis of peritoneal leukocytes decreased after CORT TA (1 and 10 μg), indicating that short-term increases in CORT levels might impair local immune function. Such differences in cellular immunity might also be associated with CORT doses or the interaction between CORT and other immune mediators, such as melatonin, testosterone, and cytokines. Overall, our results highlight the immune-enhancing effects of the acute stress response and CORT TA, and the complexity of the immune-endocrine interaction in anurans. It also highlights the relevance of investigating distinct contexts for CORT increase arising from different situations, as well as diverse immune components for a better understanding of the stress-induced immunomodulation. Restraint, LPS and exogenous CORT increased CORT plasma levels in Rhinella icterica. Distinct acute stressors and exogenous CORT increased neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio. LPS induced increased phagocytosis of blood cells. Exogenous CORT increased PHA edema, and decreased phagocytosis of peritoneal cells. BKA were sustained in all acute stress protocols and exogenous CORT treatment.
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Titon Junior B, Titon SCM, Assis VR, Barsotti AMG, Vasconcelos-Teixeira R, Fernandes PACM, Gomes FR. LPS-induced immunomodulation and hormonal variation over time in toads. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 335:541-551. [PMID: 34018702 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The inflammatory response is a complex process that relies on interactions among multiple endocrine and immune modulators. Studies incorporating time-related and integrative endocrine and immune responses to an immune challenge might shed light on the characterization of the phases of the inflammatory response in anurans. The present study investigated time-related changes (1, 3, 6, and 18 h post-challenge) in plasma corticosterone (CORT), melatonin (MEL) and testosterone (T) levels, phagocytosis percentage (PP), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge in Rhinella diptycha toads. Our results showed the response to LPS injection was characterized by increased CORT, PP, BKA, and NLR, with a concomitant decrease in plasma MEL and T. Increased CORT was more pronounced at 6 and 18 h, while increased NLR was observed only 18 h post-LPS injection. Meanwhile, plasma MEL and T decreased independently of the time post-LPS injection. Additionally, toads in better body condition showed higher BKA and PP in the LPS-treated group, regardless of the time postinjection. Our results show that toads (R. diptycha) were sensitive to the LPS challenge, mounting an inflammatory response, which started quickly (after 1 h) and developed over time and was influenced by body condition. These results demonstrate a time-related hormonal and immune variation as a consistent pattern of activation of the immune system, as well as of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal and immune-pineal axes following an immune challenge more deeply studied in mammals, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of the regulatory mechanisms for tetrapod vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braz Titon Junior
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Vania Regina Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Madelaire CB, Zena LA, Dillon D, Silva DP, Hunt KE, Loren Buck C, Bícego KC, Gomes FR. Who rules over immunology? Sseasonal variation in body temperature,, steroid hormones, and immune variables in a tegu lizard. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1867-1880. [PMID: 34022037 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple factors can influence the immune response of ectothermic vertebrates, including body temperature, gonadal steroids, and seasonality, in ways that are thought to reflect trade-offs between energetic investment in immunity vs. reproduction. Hibernating tegu lizards (Salvator merianae) are a unique model to investigate how immunocompetence might be influenced by different factors during their annual cycle. We assessed immunological measures (plasma bacterial killing ability, total and differential leukocyte count), plasma hormone levels (testosterone in males, estradiol and progesterone in females, and corticosterone in both sexes), body temperature, and body condition from adult tegus during each stage of their annual cycle: reproduction, post-reproduction/preparation for hibernation, and hibernation. Our hypothesis that immune traits present higher values during the reproductive phase, and a sharp decrease during hibernation, was partially supported. Immune variables did not change between life history stages, except for total number of leukocytes, which was higher at the beginning of the reproductive season (September) in both males and females. Average body temperature of the week prior to sampling was positively correlated with number of eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and azurophils, corroborating other studies showing that when animals maintain a high Tb, there is an increase in immune activity. Surprisingly, no clear relationship between immune traits and gonadal steroids or corticosterone levels was observed, even when including life history stage in the model. When gonadal hormones peaked in males and females, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio (which often elevates during physiological stress) also increased. Additionally, we did not observe any trade-off between reproduction and immunity traits, sex differences in immune traits or a correlation between body condition and immune response. Our results suggest that variation in patterns of immune response and correlations with body condition and hormone secretion across the year can depend upon the specific hormone and immune trait, and that experienced Tb is an important variable determining immune response in ectotherms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla B Madelaire
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1899 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA.,Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Trav. 14 da Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Zena
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1899 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA.,Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Trav. 14 da Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Danielle Dillon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1899 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA
| | - Diego P Silva
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation & George Mason University, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1899 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA
| | - C Loren Buck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1899 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA
| | - Kênia C Bícego
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Gomes
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Trav. 14 da Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil
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Oliveira RS, Borges BT, Leal AP, de Brum Vieira P, Silva DB, Hyslop S, Vinadé L, Dos Santos TG, Carlini CR, Orchard I, Lange AB, Dal Belo CA. Chemical and functional analyses of Rhinella icterica (Spix, 1824) toad secretion screened on contractions of the heart and oviduct in Locusta migratoria. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 129:104192. [PMID: 33460706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rhinella icterica is a Brazilian toad with a parotoid secretion that is toxic to insects. In this work, we examined the entomotoxicity of this secretion in locust (Locusta migratoria) semi-isolated heart and oviduct preparations in vitro. The parotoid secretion caused negative chronotropism in semi-isolated heart preparations (at the highest dose tested: 500 μg) and markedly enhanced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and tonus of oviduct muscle (0.001-100 μg). In addition, the secretion enhanced neurally-evoked contractions of oviduct muscle, which was more sensitive to low concentrations of secretion than the semi-isolated heart. The highest dose of secretion (100 μg) caused neuromuscular blockade. In zero calcium-high magnesium saline, the secretion still enhanced muscle tonus, suggesting the release of intracellular calcium to stimulate contraction. Reverse-phase HPLC of the secretion yielded eight fractions, of which only fractions 4 and 5 affected oviduct muscle tonus and neurally-evoked contractions. No phospholipase A2 activity was detected in the secretion or its chromatographic fractions. The analysis of fractions 4 and 5 by LC-DAD-MS/MS revealed the following chemical compounds: suberoyl arginine, hellebrigenin, hellebrigenin 3-suberoyl arginine ester, marinobufagin 3-pimeloyl arginine ester, telocinobufagin 3-suberoyl arginine ester, marinobufagin 3-suberoyl arginine ester, bufalin 3-adipoyl arginine, marinobufagin, bufotalinin, and bufalitoxin. These findings indicate that R. icterica parotoid secretion is active in both of the preparations examined, with the activity in oviduct possibly being mediated by bufadienolides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Soares Oliveira
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Trindade Borges
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil.
| | - Allan P Leal
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica (PPGBTox), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de Brum Vieira
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Denise Brentan Silva
- Laboratório de Produtos Naturais e Espectrometria de Massas (LAPNEM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
| | - Stephen Hyslop
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Lúcia Vinadé
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago Gomes Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica (PPGBTox), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Estudos em Biodiversidade Pampiana (LEBIP), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Laboratório de Neurotoxinas (LANEUROTOX), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul(PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Angela B Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Cháriston A Dal Belo
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (PPGCB), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica (PPGBTox), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Decrease in preferred temperature in response to an immune challenge in lizards from cold environments in Patagonia, Argentina. J Therm Biol 2020; 93:102706. [PMID: 33077127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In ectotherms, the likelihood of surviving an infection is determined by the efficiency of thermoregulation, the availability of a variety of thermal microenvironments, the individual's health status, and the virulence of the infective agent. Physiological and behavioral demands related to an efficient immune response entail a series of costs that compete with other vital activities, specifically energy storage, growth, reproduction, and maintenance functions. Here, we characterize the thermal biology and health status by the presence of injuries, ectoparasites, body condition, and individual immune response capacity (using phytohemagglutinin in a skin-swelling assay) of the southernmost lizards of the world, Liolaemus sarmientoi, endemic to a sub-optimal, cold environment in Patagonia, Argentina. In particular, we study the effect of a bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS-treatment) on thermoregulation. We found that the field-active body temperature (Tb) was much lower than the preferred body temperature (Tp) obtained in the laboratory. All the individuals were in good body condition at the beginning of the experiments. The phytohemagglutinin test caused detectable thickening in sole-pads at 2 h and 24 h post-assay in males and non-pregnant females, indicating a significant innate immune response. In the experimental immune challenge, the individuals tended to prefer a low body temperature after LPS-treatment (2 h post-injection) and developed hypothermia, while the control individuals injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), maintained their body temperature throughout the trial. In both the LPS-treatment and PBS-control individuals, BC declined during the experiment. Hypothermia may allow this southernmost species to optimize the use of their energetic resources and reduce the costs of thermoregulation in a cold-temperate environment where they rarely attain the mean Tp (35.16 °C) obtained in laboratory.
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Lind CM, Agugliaro J, Farrell TM. The metabolic response to an immune challenge in a viviparous snake, Sistrurus miliarius. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb225185. [PMID: 32321747 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.225185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Mounting an immune response may be energetically costly and require the diversion of resources away from other physiological processes. Yet, both the metabolic cost of immune responses and the factors that impact investment priorities remain poorly described in many vertebrate groups. For example, although viviparity has evolved many times in vertebrates, the relationship between immune function and pregnancy has been disproportionately studied in placental mammals. To examine the energetic costs of immune activation and the modulation of immune function during pregnancy in a non-mammalian vertebrate, we elicited an immune response in pregnant and non-pregnant pygmy rattlesnakes, Sistrurus miliarius, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured using flow-through respirometry. Immune function was examined using bactericidal assays and leukocyte counts. The RMR of pygmy rattlesnakes increased significantly in response to LPS injection. There was no statistically significant difference in the metabolic response of non-reproductive and pregnant snakes to LPS. Mean metabolic increments for pregnant females, non-reproductive females, and males were 13%, 18% and 26%, respectively. The ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes was elevated in response to LPS across reproductive categories; however, LPS did not impact plasma bactericidal ability in non-reproductive snakes. Although pregnant females had significantly higher plasma bactericidal ability compared with non-reproductive snakes prior to manipulation, their bactericidal ability declined in response to LPS. LPS administration also significantly reduced several litter characteristics, particularly when administrated relatively early in pregnancy. Our results indicate that immune performance is energetically costly and is altered during pregnancy, and that immune activation during pregnancy may result in tradeoffs that affect offspring in a viviparous reptile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig M Lind
- School of Natural Science and Mathematics, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ 08205, USA
| | - Joseph Agugliaro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940, USA
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Agugliaro J, Lind CM, Lorch JM, Farrell TM. An emerging fungal pathogen is associated with increased resting metabolic rate and total evaporative water loss rate in a winter‐active snake. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Agugliaro
- Department of Biological & Allied Health Sciences Fairleigh Dickinson University Madison NJ USA
| | - Craig M. Lind
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Stockton University Galloway NJ USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Lorch
- U.S. Geological SurveyNational Wildlife Health Center Madison WI USA
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17
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Thermal sensitivity of innate immune response in three species of Rhinella toads. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 237:110542. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.110542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Titon SCM, Titon Junior B, Assis VR, Kinker GS, Fernandes PACM, Gomes FR. Interplay among steroids, body condition and immunity in response to long-term captivity in toads. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17168. [PMID: 30464319 PMCID: PMC6249311 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35495-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful experiences can promote harmful effects on physiology and fitness. However, stress-mediated hormonal and immune changes are complex and may be highly dependent on body condition. Here, we investigated captivity-associated stress effects, over 7, 30, 60, and 90 days on plasma corticosterone (CORT) and testosterone (T) levels, body index, and innate immunity (bacterial killing ability and phagocytosis of peritoneal cells) in toads (Rhinella icterica). Toads in captivity exhibited elevated CORT and decreased T and immunity, without changes in body index. The inter-relationships between these variables were additionally contrasted with those obtained previously for R. schneideri, a related species that exhibited extreme loss of body mass under the same captive conditions. While T and phagocytosis were positively associated in both species, the relationship between CORT and bacterial killing ability was dependent on body index alterations. While CORT and bacterial killing ability were positively associated for toads that maintained body index, CORT was negatively associated with body index in toads that lost body mass over time in captivity. In these same toads, body index was positively associated with bacterial killing ability. These results demonstrate that steroids-immunity inter-relationships arising from prolonged exposure to a stressor in toads are highly dependent on body condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Braz Titon Junior
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vania Regina Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Sarti Kinker
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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