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Elizalde-Velázquez LE, Schlosser-Brandenburg J, Laubschat A, Oser L, Kundik A, Adjah J, Groenhagen S, Kühl AA, Rausch S, Hartmann S. Th2-biased immune responses to body migrating Ascaris larvae in primary infection are associated with pathology but not protection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14919. [PMID: 38942904 PMCID: PMC11213949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65281-0] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections lead to an overdispersion of the parasites in humans as well as in animals. We asked whether early immune responses against migrating Ascaris larvae are responsible for the unequal distribution of worms in natural host populations and thus investigated a susceptible versus a resistant mouse strain. In mice, the roundworm larvae develop until the lung stage and thus early anti-Ascaris immune responses against the migrating larvae in the liver and lung can be deciphered. Our data show that susceptible C57BL/6 mice respond to Ascaris larval migration significantly stronger compared to resistant CBA mice and the anti-parasite reactivity is associated with pathology. Increased eosinophil recruitment was detected in the liver and lungs, but also in the spleen and peritoneal cavity of susceptible mice on day 8 post infection compared to resistant mice. In serum, eosinophil peroxidase levels were significantly higher only in the susceptible mice, indicating functional activity of the recruited eosinophils. This effect was associated with an increased IL-5/IL-13 production by innate lymphoid cells and CD4+ T cells and a pronounced type 2 macrophage polarization in the lungs of susceptible mice. Furthermore, a comparison of wildtype BALB/c and eosinophil-deficient dblGATA-1 BALB/c mice showed that eosinophils were not essential for the early control of migrating Ascaris larvae. In conclusion, in primary infection, a strong local and systemic type 2 immune response during hepato-tracheal helminth larval migration is associated with pathology rather than protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Elizalde-Velázquez
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josephine Schlosser-Brandenburg
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Laubschat
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Larissa Oser
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arkadi Kundik
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joshua Adjah
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Saskia Groenhagen
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja A Kühl
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, iPATH.Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rausch
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Wolstenholme AJ, Andersen EC, Choudhary S, Ebner F, Hartmann S, Holden-Dye L, Kashyap SS, Krücken J, Martin RJ, Midha A, Nejsum P, Neveu C, Robertson AP, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Walker R, Wang J, Whitehead BJ, Williams PDE. Getting around the roundworms: Identifying knowledge gaps and research priorities for the ascarids. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2024; 123:51-123. [PMID: 38448148 PMCID: PMC11143470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The ascarids are a large group of parasitic nematodes that infect a wide range of animal species. In humans, they cause neglected diseases of poverty; many animal parasites also cause zoonotic infections in people. Control measures include hygiene and anthelmintic treatments, but they are not always appropriate or effective and this creates a continuing need to search for better ways to reduce the human, welfare and economic costs of these infections. To this end, Le Studium Institute of Advanced Studies organized a two-day conference to identify major gaps in our understanding of ascarid parasites with a view to setting research priorities that would allow for improved control. The participants identified several key areas for future focus, comprising of advances in genomic analysis and the use of model organisms, especially Caenorhabditis elegans, a more thorough appreciation of the complexity of host-parasite (and parasite-parasite) communications, a search for novel anthelmintic drugs and the development of effective vaccines. The participants agreed to try and maintain informal links in the future that could form the basis for collaborative projects, and to co-operate to organize future meetings and workshops to promote ascarid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Wolstenholme
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Tours, ISP, Nouzilly, France.
| | - Erik C Andersen
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shivani Choudhary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Friederike Ebner
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute for Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lindy Holden-Dye
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sudhanva S Kashyap
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard J Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ankur Midha
- Institute for Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cedric Neveu
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Tours, ISP, Nouzilly, France
| | - Alan P Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | | | - Robert Walker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jianbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | | | - Paul D E Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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3
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Wang H, Yu Q, Wang M, Hou J, Wang M, Kang X, Hou X, Li D, Rousu Z, Jiang T, Li J, Wen H, Zhang C. Hepatic macrophages play critical roles in the establishment and growth of hydatid cysts in the liver during Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011746. [PMID: 37930989 PMCID: PMC10653610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide neglected zoonotic disease caused by infection with the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (E. granulosus s.l.), which predominantly resides in the liver accompanied by mild inflammation. Macrophages constitute the main cellular component of the liver and play a central role in controlling the progression of inflammation and liver fibrosis. However, the role of hepatic macrophages in the establishment and growth of hydatid cysts in the liver during E. granulosus sensu stricto (E. granulosus s.s.) infection has not been fully elucidated. Here, we showed that CD68+ macrophages accumulated in pericystic areas of the liver and that the expression of CD163, a marker of anti-inflammatory macrophages, was more evident in active CE patients than in inactive CE patients. Moreover, in a mouse model of E. granulosus s.s. infection, the pool of hepatic macrophages expanded dramatically through the attraction of massive amounts of monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) to the infection site. These infiltrating macrophages preferentially polarized toward an iNOS+ proinflammatory phenotype at the early stage and then toward a CD206+ anti-inflammatory phenotype at the late stage. Notably, the resident Kupffer cells (KCs) predominantly maintained an anti-inflammatory phenotype to favor persistent E. granulosus s.s. infection. In addition, depletion of hepatic macrophages promoted E. granulosus s.s. larval establishment and growth partially by inhibiting CD4+ T-cell recruitment and liver fibrosis. The above findings demonstrated that hepatic macrophages play a vital role in the progression of CE, contributing to a better understanding of the local inflammatory responses surrounding hydatid cysts and possibly facilitating the design of novel therapeutic approaches for CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Case Management of Echinococcosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Qian Yu
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Mingkun Wang
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jiao Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Department of Hepatic Hydatid and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xuejiao Kang
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xinling Hou
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dewei Li
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zibigu Rousu
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tiemin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Department of Hepatic Hydatid and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Case Management of Echinococcosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Chuanshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Case Management of Echinococcosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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4
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In silico design of a polypeptide as a vaccine candidate against ascariasis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3504. [PMID: 36864139 PMCID: PMC9981566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30445-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ascariasis is the most prevalent zoonotic helminthic disease worldwide, and is responsible for nutritional deficiencies, particularly hindering the physical and neurological development of children. The appearance of anthelmintic resistance in Ascaris is a risk for the target of eliminating ascariasis as a public health problem by 2030 set by the World Health Organisation. The development of a vaccine could be key to achieving this target. Here we have applied an in silico approach to design a multi-epitope polypeptide that contains T-cell and B-cell epitopes of reported novel potential vaccination targets, alongside epitopes from established vaccination candidates. An artificial toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) adjuvant (RS09) was added to improve immunogenicity. The constructed peptide was found to be non-allergic, non-toxic, with adequate antigenic and physicochemical characteristics, such as solubility and potential expression in Escherichia coli. A tertiary structure of the polypeptide was used to predict the presence of discontinuous B-cell epitopes and to confirm the molecular binding stability with TLR2 and TLR4 molecules. Immune simulations predicted an increase in B-cell and T-cell immune response after injection. This polypeptide can now be validated experimentally and compared to other vaccine candidates to assess its possible impact in human health.
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5
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Kraemer L, McKay DM, Russo RC, Fujiwara RT. Chemokines and chemokine receptors: insights from human disease and experimental models of helminthiasis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 66:38-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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6
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Jõgi NO, Kitaba N, Storaas T, Schlünssen V, Triebner K, Holloway JW, Horsnell WGC, Svanes C, Bertelsen RJ. Ascaris exposure and its association with lung function, asthma, and DNA methylation in Northern Europe. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 149:1960-1969. [PMID: 34996616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascaris infections, with a worldwide prevalence above 10%, can cause respiratory pathology. However, long-term effects on lung function in humans are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations of Ascaris exposure with lung function, asthma, and DNA methylation. METHODS Serum Ascaris IgG antibodies were measured in 671 adults aged 18 to 47 years (46% women) from Aarhus, Bergen, and Tartu RHINESSA study centers. Seropositivity was defined as IgG above the 90th percentile. Linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze Ascaris seropositivity as associated with lung function and asthma, adjusted for age, height, and smoking and clustered by center. DNA methylation in blood was profiled by a commercial methylation assay. RESULTS Ascaris seropositivity was associated with lower FEV1 (-247 mL; 95% CI, -460, -34) and higher odds for asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 5.84; 95% CI, 1.67, 20.37) among men but not women, also after further adjusting for house dust mite sensitivity, consistent across study centers. At a genome-wide level, Ascaris exposure was associated with 23 differentially methylated sites in men and 3 in women. We identified hypermethylation of the MYBPC1 gene, which can regulate airway muscle contraction. We also identified genes linked to asthma pathogenesis such as CRHR1 and GRK1, as well as a differentially methylated region in the PRSS22 gene linked to nematode infection. CONCLUSION Ascaris exposure was associated with substantially lower lung function and increased asthma risk among men. Seropositive participants had sex-specific differences in DNA methylation compared to the unexposed, thus suggesting that exposure may lead to sex-specific epigenetic changes associated with lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils O Jõgi
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Negusse Kitaba
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Torgeir Storaas
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Environmental Occupation, and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kai Triebner
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Core Facility for Metabolomics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - William G C Horsnell
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine/Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Molecular and Experimental Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS-University of Orléans and Le Studium Institute for Advanced Studies, Orléans, France.
| | - Cecilie Svanes
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Randi J Bertelsen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway, Bergen, Norway
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7
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Lechner A, Bohnacker S, Esser-von Bieren J. Macrophage regulation & function in helminth infection. Semin Immunol 2021; 53:101526. [PMID: 34802871 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2021.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages are innate immune cells with essential roles in host defense, inflammation, immune regulation and repair. During infection with multicellular helminth parasites, macrophages contribute to pathogen trapping and killing as well as to tissue repair and the resolution of type 2 inflammation. Macrophages produce a broad repertoire of effector molecules, including enzymes, cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that govern anti-helminth immunity and repair of parasite-induced tissue damage. Helminth infection and the associated type 2 immune response induces an alternatively activated macrophage (AAM) phenotype that - beyond driving host defense - prevents aberrant Th2 cell activation and type 2 immunopathology. The immune regulatory potential of macrophages is exploited by helminth parasites that induce the production of anti-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 10 or prostaglandin E2 to evade host immunity. Here, we summarize current insights into the mechanisms of macrophage-mediated host defense and repair during helminth infection and highlight recent progress on the immune regulatory crosstalk between macrophages and helminth parasites. We also point out important remaining questions such as the translation of findings from murine models to human settings of helminth infection as well as long-term consequences of helminth-induced macrophage reprogramming for subsequent host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonie Lechner
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany
| | - Sina Bohnacker
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Esser-von Bieren
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany.
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8
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Deslyper G, Murphy DM, Sowemimo OA, Holland CV, Doherty DG. Distinct hepatic myeloid and lymphoid cell repertoires are associated with susceptibility and resistance to Ascaris infection. Parasitology 2021; 148:539-549. [PMID: 33431071 PMCID: PMC10090783 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The soil-transmitted helminth Ascaris lumbricoides infects ~800 million people worldwide. Some people are heavily infected, harbouring many worms, whereas others are only lightly infected. The mechanisms behind this difference are unknown. We used a mouse model of hepatic resistance to Ascaris, with C57BL/6J mice as a model for heavy infection and CBA/Ca mice as a model for light infection. The mice were infected with the porcine ascarid, Ascaris suum or the human ascarid, A. lumbricoides and immune cells in their livers and spleens were enumerated using flow cytometry. Compared to uninfected C57BL/6J mice, uninfected CBA/Ca mice had higher splenic CD4+ and γδ T cell counts and lower hepatic eosinophil, Kupffer cell and B cell counts. Infection with A. suum led to expansions of eosinophils, Kupffer cells, monocytes and dendritic cells in the livers of both mouse strains and depletions of hepatic natural killer (NK) cells in CBA/Ca mice only. Infection with A. lumbricoides led to expansions of hepatic eosinophils, monocytes and dendritic cells and depletions of CD8+, αβ, NK and NK T cells in CBA/Ca mice, but not in C57BL/6J mice where only monocytes expanded. Thus, susceptibility and resistance to Ascaris infection are governed, in part, by the hepatic immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendoline Deslyper
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dearbhla M. Murphy
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Celia V. Holland
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Derek G. Doherty
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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9
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Carneiro VL, da Silva HBF, Queiroz GDA, Veiga RV, Oliveira PRS, Carneiro NVQ, Pires ADO, da Silva RR, Sena F, Belitardo E, Nascimento R, Silva M, Marques CR, Costa RDS, Alcantra-Neves NM, Barreto ML, Cooper PJ, Figueiredo CA. WSB1 and IL21R Genetic Variants Are Involved in Th2 Immune Responses to Ascaris lumbricoides. Front Immunol 2021; 12:622051. [PMID: 33692795 PMCID: PMC7937724 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.622051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and epigenetic factors are considered to be critical for host-parasite interactions. There are limited data on the role of such factors during human infections with Ascaris lumbricoides. Here, we describe the potential role of genetic factors as determinants of the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides in Brazilian children. Stool samples were collected from the children to detect A. lumbricoides by microscopy and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were cultured in whole blood cultures for detection of cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) in vitro. Levels of anti-A. lumbricoides IgE and IgG4 were measured in plasma. DNA was extracted from PBLs and genotyped using Illumina 2.5 Human Omni Beadchip. Candidate genes associated with A. lumbricoides responses were identified and SNVs in these selected genes associated with the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides. Haplotype, gene expression, and epigenetic analyses were done to identify potential associations with Th2 immune responses. GWAS on samples from 1,189 children identified WSB1 as a candidate gene, and IL-21R was selected as a biologically relevant linked gene for further analysis. Variants in WSB1 and IL21R were associated with markers of Th2 immune responses: increased A. lumbricoides-specific IgE and IL-5/IL-13 by PBLs from infected compared to uninfected individuals. In infected children, WSB1 but not IL21R gene expression was suppressed and increased methylation was observed in the WSB1 promoter region. This is the first study to show an association between genetic variants in WSB1 and IL21R and Th2 immune responses during A. lumbricoides infections in children. WSB1/IL21R pathways could provide a potential target for the treatment of Th2-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Rafael Silveira Oliveira
- Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Flavia Sena
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Emilia Belitardo
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Regina Nascimento
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milca Silva
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Mauricio L Barreto
- Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil.,Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Philip J Cooper
- School of Medicine, International University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Zawawi A, Else KJ. Soil-Transmitted Helminth Vaccines: Are We Getting Closer? Front Immunol 2020; 11:576748. [PMID: 33133094 PMCID: PMC7565266 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.576748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths infect over one-fourth of the human population resulting in significant morbidity, and in some cases, death in endemic countries. Despite mass drug administration (MDA) to school-aged children and other control measures, helminth infections are spreading into new areas. Thus, there is a strong rationale for developing anthelminthic vaccines as cost-effective, long-term immunological control strategies, which, unlike MDA, are not haunted by the threat of emerging drug-resistant helminths nor limited by reinfection risk. Advances in vaccinology, immunology, and immunomics include the development of new tools that improve the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of vaccines; and some of these tools have been used in the development of helminth vaccines. The development of anthelminthic vaccines is fraught with difficulty. Multiple lifecycle stages exist each presenting stage-specific antigens. Further, helminth parasites are notorious for their ability to dampen down and regulate host immunity. One of the first significant challenges in developing any vaccine is identifying suitable candidate protective antigens. This review explores our current knowledge in lead antigen identification and reports on recent pre-clinical and clinical trials in the context of the soil-transmitted helminths Trichuris, the hookworms and Ascaris. Ultimately, a multivalent anthelminthic vaccine could become an essential tool for achieving the medium-to long-term goal of controlling, or even eliminating helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayat Zawawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Ayat Zawawi
| | - Kathryn J. Else
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,Kathryn J. Else
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11
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Yordanova IA, Lamatsch M, Kühl AA, Hartmann S, Rausch S. Eosinophils are dispensable for the regulation of IgA and Th17 responses in Giardia muris infection. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12791. [PMID: 32918307 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12791] [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: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS IgA and Th17 responses are pivotal for the control of Giardia infections. Eosinophils support IgA class switching, the survival of intestinal IgA+ plasma cells at steady state and can control Th17 activity in the small intestine. To see whether eosinophils regulate adaptive immune responses during giardiasis, we investigated Giardia muris infections in wild-type BALB/c and eosinophil-deficient ∆dblGATA-1 mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Infected ∆dblGATA-1 mice did not differ markedly in parasite control from wild-type mice. Confirming previous studies, naive ∆dblGATA-1 mice displayed diminished IgA+ B cell frequencies in Peyer's patches. However, IgA class switching and intestinal IgA secretion in response to G muris infection were comparable in wild-type BALB/c and ∆dblGATA-1 mice. Both strains displayed similarly low intestinal Th17 responses, accompanied by a mild expansion of type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3). CONCLUSIONS Contrasting previous reports on overt small intestinal Th17 activity in eosinophil-deficient mice, IL-17A production is kept in check in the absence of eosinophils during Giardia infection. Suboptimal homeostatic IgA responses in the absence of eosinophils are transiently fostered in infected mice and the maintenance of IgA+ plasma cells appears to be restored during persisting Giardia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivet A Yordanova
- Center for Infection Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Lamatsch
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja A Kühl
- Core Unit for Immunopathology for Experimental Models, iPATH.Berlin, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Center for Infection Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rausch
- Center for Infection Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Rückerl D. Macrophages and parasites: Mortal enemies or partners in crime? Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12725. [PMID: 32350886 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Rückerl
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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