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Garcia Neto PG, Titon SCM, Muxel SM, Titon B, Figueiredo ACD, Floreste FR, Lima AS, Assis VR, Gomes FR. Immune and endocrine alterations at the early stage of inflammatory assemblage in toads after stimulation with heat-killed bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 291:111606. [PMID: 38354902 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111606] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The red-leg syndrome in amphibians is a condition commonly associated with the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila and has led to population declines. However, there is little information concerning the inflammatory assemblage in infected anurans. We evaluated immune and endocrine alterations induced by stimulation with heat-killed A. hydrophila injected in Rhinella diptycha toads. Control animals were not manipulated, while the others were separated into groups that received intraperitoneal injection of 300 μl of saline or heat-killed bacteria: groups A1 (3 × 107 cells), A2 (3 × 108 cells), and A3 (3 × 109 cells). Animals were bled and euthanized six hours post-injection. We evaluated neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), testosterone (T), melatonin (MEL), and corticosterone (CORT) plasma levels. Heat-killed A. hydrophila increased CORT and NLR, and decreased MEL, especially at higher concentrations. There was no effect of treatment on T and BKA. We then selected the saline and A3 groups to conduct mRNA expression of several genes including glucocorticoid receptor (GR), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. We found higher expression of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and IFN-γ in group A3 compared to the saline group. These results indicate the beginning of an inflammatory assemblage, notably at the two highest concentrations of bacteria, and give a better understanding of how anurans respond to an infection within an integrated perspective, evaluating different physiological aspects. Future studies should investigate later phases of the immune response to elucidate more about the inflammation in amphibians challenged with A. hydrophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrício G Garcia Neto
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Stefanny C M Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Sandra M Muxel
- Laboratório de Neuroimunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes n° 1730, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Braz Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Aymam C de Figueiredo
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Felipe R Floreste
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Alan S Lima
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Vania R Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil; Global Health and Interdisciplinary Disease Research Center and Center for Genomics, College of Public Health, Interdisciplinary Research Building (IDRB), 3720 Spectrum Boulevard. Tampa, FL 33612-9415, United States. https://twitter.com/VaniaRAssis1
| | - Fernando R Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, 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: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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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Garcia Neto PG, Titon SCM, Assis VR, Muxel SM, Titon B, Ferreira LF, Markus RP, Gomes FR, Fernandes PACM. Immune and endocrine responses of Cururu toads (Rhinella icterica) in their natural habitat after LPS stimulation. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 269:111213. [PMID: 35421537 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids and melatonin display immunomodulatory functions, with both immune-stimulatory and suppressor effects, depending on the context. While their immune properties are well-explored in mammals, there are still few studies on this immune-endocrine interaction in an inflammatory context in amphibians, all of them under captivity conditions, which can constitute a stressor for these animals. Evaluating how amphibians react to an immune challenge in the field would reveal relevant information regarding how immune-physiological parameters are modulated in natural conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in male toads (Rhinella icterica) recently captured in their natural habitat in the Atlantic Forest at two different times of the day. We evaluated: splenic cytokines mRNA (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-γ) and complement system protein (C1s), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), plasma corticosterone (CORT), melatonin (MEL), and testosterone (T) levels, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), two hours post-injections. LPS-injection increased NLR, the gene expression of IL-1β, and less evidently CORT levels independently of the time of the day. These results evidence LPS-induced inflammation, similarly observed in toads in captivity. Saline and LPS-injected toads showed a positive correlation between IL-1β and IL-6, both cytokines with pro-inflammatory effects. Also, CORT was negatively associated with T, suggesting inhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in the LPS-stimulated group. Our results are associated with the first stage of the inflammatory assemblage. Studies evaluating further steps of this process might lead to a better understanding of the immune-endocrine relations in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrício G Garcia Neto
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Stefanny C M Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Vania R Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Sandra M Muxel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Braz Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Letícia F Ferreira
- Centro Universitário Fundação Santo André, Avenida Príncipe de Gales, n° 821, Vila Príncipe de Gales, Santo André, SP CEP 09060-650, Brazil.
| | - Regina P Markus
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Fernando R Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Pedro A C M Fernandes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão - Travessa 14 - n° 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
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Fanali LZ, Sturve J, de Oliveira C. Exposure of Physalaemus cuvieri (Anura) to benzo[a]pyrene and α-naphthoflavone: Morphofunctional effects on hepatic melanomacrophages and erythrocytes abnormalities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 285:117526. [PMID: 34380224 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117526] [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: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a high-risk contaminant of elevated toxicity. Its biotransformation process occurs as the expression of CYP1A1 increases and produces toxic metabolites. In turn, α-naphthoflavone (aNF) represents an inhibitor of CYP1A1, preventing BaP metabolism. Toxicological studies in anurans show alterations in the melanomacrophage (MM) detoxification cell after exposure to xenobiotics. In this study, the production of melanin by MMs was evaluated, as were morphological alterations in the cytoskeleton, phagocytosis and the genotoxicity effects after exposure of an anuran species to BaP and aNF. Physalaemus cuvieri received subcutaneous injections of 2 mg/kg and/or 20 mg/kg aNF. For phagocytosis analyses, animals received an intraperitoneal injection with 0.4% trypan blue. The results revealed that melanin synthesis increased by 503.2% in animals exposed to BaP after 48 h, which was related to the antioxidant action of melanin, whereas the decreased in synthesis of 25.6% with the BaP + aNF interaction resulted in high toxicity to MMs and cell degeneration. The phagocytic activity reduced to 37.6% in animals exposed to BaP, characterizing a functional impairment; however, the BaP + aNF interaction led to the restoration of phagocytosis, reaching 419.23%. The decreased rate or absence of abnormalities may be explained by the fact that only the less damaged erythrocytes remained in the bloodstream, whereas the most damaged cells died. In conclusion, BaP and aNF are toxic to P. cuvieri, bringing risks to herpetofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Zácari Fanali
- Graduate Program in Animal Biology, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 15054-000, Brazil.
| | - Joachim Sturve
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 405 30, Box 463, Sweden
| | - Classius de Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 15054-000, Brazil
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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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Figueiredo ACD, Titon SC, Titon Jr. B, Vasconcelos-Teixeira R, Barsotti AM, Gomes FR. Systemic hormonal and immune regulation induced by intraperitoneal LPS injection in bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 253:110872. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Fanali LZ, Freitas JS, Franco‐Belussi L, Taboga SR, de Oliveira C. Liver description in three neotropical anuran species: from anatomy to ultrastructure. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Zácari Fanali
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biologia Animal Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São José do Rio Preto Brazil
| | | | - Lilian Franco‐Belussi
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Campo Grande Brazil
| | | | - Classius de Oliveira
- Departmento de Biologia Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São José do Rio Preto Brazil
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Salla RF, Jones-Costa M, Abdalla FC, Vidal FAP, Boeing GANS, Oliveira CR, Silva-Zacarin ECM, Franco-Belussi L, Rizzi-Possignolo GM, Lambertini C, Toledo LF. Differential liver histopathological responses to amphibian chytrid infection. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 142:177-187. [PMID: 33331285 DOI: 10.3354/dao03541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians have been facing a pandemic caused by the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Although studies have elucidated cutaneous and homeostatic disturbances, it is still unknown if the hepatic function can be affected or if hepatic effects differ among host species. Thus, we evaluated the effects of an experimental Bd infection on the liver (histopathology and the hepatosomatic index) of 2 anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to Bd infection and compared them to uninfected controls. Bd infection increased the melanomacrophage cell area and induced leukocyte infiltration in both species. The effects were more pronounced in the sensitive species, P. albonotatus, which showed severe reduction in glycogen stores and liver atrophy, due to energetic imbalance. Hepatocytes of P. albonotatus also showed ballooning degeneration (vacuolization), which could lead to cell death and liver failure. Our results provide evidence that although the sensitive species showed more severe effects, the tolerant species also had hepatic responses to the infection. These findings indicate that hepatic function can play an important role in detoxification and in immune responses to chytridiomycosis, and that it may be used as a new biomarker of health status in chytrid infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel F Salla
- Laboratory of Natural History of Brazilian Amphibians, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
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