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Sofia O, Amalia M, Thomassawa H, Fitri LE, Prayitnaningsih S, Susianti H. The Decreased Treg Cells Number Associated with Retinal Lesion Size in Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2024; 2024:3495376. [PMID: 38314317 PMCID: PMC10830908 DOI: 10.1155/2024/3495376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The imbalance of the immune response is an important factor contributing to the incidence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in maintaining the balance between Th1 and Th17 immune responses, while interleukin-27 (IL-27) levels are related to the differentiation of Th17 cells. This study analyzes the differences in the number of Treg cells and the level of IL-27 between OT patients and seropositive individuals without ocular lesions and its correlation with retinal lesion size. Methods This analytic observational study, conducted for 8 months, involved 11 OT patients and 10 seropositive individuals without ocular lesions. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. Retinal lesions were documented by fundus photographs and the size was measured using Digimizer 4.2.2.0 software. Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was performed to measure the number of Treg cells using flow cytometry and interleukin-27 levels were assessed using the Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Data were analyzed with SPSS. Result The number of Treg cells in the OT group (47.16 ± 15.66%) was lower than in the seropositive group without the ocular lesions (62.86 ± 17.08%) (p = 0.029). The serum IL-27 levels in the OT group were not significantly different from the seropositive group without the ocular lesions (p = 0.360). The number of Treg cells was significantly related to retinal lesion size (p = 0.043), with a correlation coefficient of -0.648, indicating a strong and inverse correlation. There was no significant correlation between serum IL-27 levels and retinal lesion size (p = 0.556). Conclusion Ocular toxoplasmosis patients have a low number of Treg cells that are inversely related to the retinal lesion size. The size of the retinal lesion increases as the number of Treg cells decreases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovi Sofia
- Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Muna Amalia
- Residency Training Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Herryanto Thomassawa
- Residency Training Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Loeki Enggar Fitri
- Department of Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Seskoati Prayitnaningsih
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Hani Susianti
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
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Khorshidvand Z, Shirian S, Amiri H, Zamani A, Maghsood AH. Immunomodulatory chitosan nanoparticles for Toxoplasma gondii infection: Novel application of chitosan in complex propranolol-hydrochloride as an adjuvant in vaccine delivery. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127228. [PMID: 37839605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of propranolol hydrochloride (PRO) in combination with chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) as an adjuvant to develop an effective vaccine against T. gondii. A total of 105 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven equal groups including PBS alone, CS NPs, SAG1 (Surface antigen 1), CS-SAG1 NPs, CS-PRO NPs, SAG1-PRO, and CS-SAG1-PRO NPs. The immunostimulatory effect of each adjuvant used for vaccine delivery was evaluated in a mice immunization model. The results showed that the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-PRO NPs exhibited the highest lymphocyte proliferation rate, along with increased secretion of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23, as well as elevated levels of protective cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-27, and IL-10. Although, the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs immunized mice showed the highest level of T. gondii specific IgG compared to the other groups, a significant production of IgG2a and IgG1 was observed in the sera of mice immunized with the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs compared to the other group (p <0.001). The higher IgG2a/IgG1 ratio observed in the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs group indicates a bias towards Th1 cell polarization, suggesting the promotion of Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. Considering the combination of the highest lymphocyte proliferation and survival rates, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, and cytokine levels in the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-PRO NPs, this approach holds promise for immunostimulation and vaccine delivery against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khorshidvand
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr Daneshbod Lab, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hanieh Amiri
- Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr Daneshbod Lab, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Biology, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Alireza Zamani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Goh EJH, Putera I, La Distia Nora R, Mahendradas P, Biswas J, Chee SP, Testi I, Pavesio CE, Curi ALL, Vasconcelos-Santos DV, Arora A, Gupta V, de-la-Torre A, Agrawal R. Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023; 31:1342-1361. [PMID: 36095008 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2117705] [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: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, affecting individuals acrossdifferent age groups. The key to reducing vision loss includes prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, despite the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis, there has been little consensus regarding its pathophysiology,clinical features, diagnosis, and especially management. METHODS The data sources were literature reviews, including Pub Med and Medline databases. Search terms included toxoplasmosis, retinitis, vasculitis, vitritis, uveitis alone or in combination with, serum, aqueous, vitreous eye, ocular and review. RESULTS In this review paper, we have sought to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of the disease, both based on current literature and our own clinical experience. We have also discussed the use of serology, ocular fluid, and ophthalmic investigations that could further facilitate the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.Different management strategies have been reported worldwide, including newer approaches such as local therapy. CONCLUSION A better understanding of critical aspects of ocular toxoplasmosis will hopefully lead to reduced morbidity, including blindness associated with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Jin Hui Goh
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ikhwanuliman Putera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Kirana Eye Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rina La Distia Nora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Kirana Eye Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Soon-Phaik Chee
- Department of Ocular Inflammation and Immunology, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), NeuroVitae Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ilaria Testi
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Andre Luiz Land Curi
- Infectious Ophthalmology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Vitor Vasconcelos-Santos
- Departamento de Oftalmologia e Otorrinolaringologia e Laboratório de Ciências Visuais, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Hospital São Geraldo, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Atul Arora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vishali Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), NeuroVitae Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rupesh Agrawal
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore
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Araujo WMR, Ayo CM, Previato M, de Faria GM, Frederico FB, Siqueira RC, de Almeida GC, Pereira-Chioccola VL, de Mattos LC, Brandão CC. Role of interleukin 1β and interleukin 10 variants on ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazilian individuals. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1183167. [PMID: 38983057 PMCID: PMC11182258 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1183167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is an intraocular inflammation caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection that affects the retina and choroid, giving rise to posterior uveitis. Genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes may exert influence in the expression of these molecules and play a significant role in inflammatory responses and susceptibility to OT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of polymorphisms rs16944 (-511 C > T) of the interleukin (IL) 1β gene and rs1800896 (-1082 G > A) of the IL10 gene on OT in Brazilian individuals with a serologic diagnosis of T. gondii and after conducting fundoscopic exams. Methods Participants with a positive serology were classified into two distinct groups according to the presence (G1; n = 110) or absence (G2; n = 104) of OT. The control group (G3) consisted of individuals without the infection (n = 108). Results It was observed that the C/C genotype of the IL1β gene polymorphism was a protective factor for OT (p = 0.02, OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.78 for G1 vs. G2; p = 0.03; OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.09-0.82 for G1 vs. G3), according to the recessive inheritance model. Conclusions The -511C.T polymorphisms of the IL1β gene seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OT in Brazilian individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warlen Miiller Rocha Araujo
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christiane Maria Ayo
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina (HB-FUNFARME), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Magela de Faria
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina (HB-FUNFARME), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gildásio Castello de Almeida
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina (HB-FUNFARME), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Local and systemic gene expression levels of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β in active ocular toxoplasmosis in humans. Cytokine 2021; 146:155643. [PMID: 34332275 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To compare mRNA expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 17 (IL-17) and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) in aqueous humor (AH) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in human ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) and controls. METHOD RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed on AH sediments and PBMCs of 16 patients with active OT and 21 controls at the Khatam-al-Anbia Eye Hospital, Iran. For comparison, Mann Whitney U test was used at a discrimination level of p < 0.05. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation test were applied for correlation with clinical parameters. RESULTS The expression for IL-10 and IL-17 in the AH was 3.7- and 88.0-fold higher in OT than in controls (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively) whereas that of TGF-β was 7.7-fold lower (P < 0.001). The expression levels for these cytokines in PBMC followed a similar pattern (IL-10 13.8-fold down-regulated (P = 0.001), IL-17 with 1.9-fold insignificantly upregulated (p = 0.43), TGF-β 452.8-fold down-regulated (P = 0.002). Compared to PBMC, IL-10 coding mRNA was 1876-fold higher in the almost cell-free AH in OT (39.2-fold in controls), IL-17 coding mRNA was 9.4-fold higher (17.7-fold down-regulated in controls), and that coding for TGF-β 207-fold higher in OT (7x105-fold in controls). The expression for IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β in AH thus followed an opposite pattern compared to that in PBMC. CONCLUSION OT induces a highly-specific local immunoregulatory process as evidenced by an intraocular up-regulation of IL-10 and down-regulation of TGF-β mRNA. This could indicate an attempt to prevent unnecessary tissue damage which is in line with a moderate local mRNA up-regulation for IL-17 which seems sufficient to control parasite proliferation. That this regulation is opposite to that in PBMC may be linked to intraocular immune deviation in the course of disease.
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Kalogeropoulos D, Kalogeropoulos C, Sakkas H, Mohammed B, Vartholomatos G, Malamos K, Sreekantam S, Kanavaros P, de-la-Torre A. Pathophysiological Aspects of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Host-parasite Interactions. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021; 30:560-569. [PMID: 34242103 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2021.1922706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: This review aims to present the state of the art to understand the pathophysiology of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), providing further foundations that would help to improve the future treatment and prognosis of this potentially blinding disease.Methods: A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items.Results: Toxoplasma gondii ocular infection is one of the most frequent causes of posterior uveitis. Despite the ocular barriers, the parasite reaches the eye through different mechanisms. Once inside, it remains encysted livelong within the retina, and recurrences cannot be completely avoided. The complexity of host-parasite interactions, leading to the success of this parasite, encompasses host factors such as genetic predisposition, immune status, and age; and parasite factors such as strain diversity, virulence, phylogenetic origin, and geographical distribution. These factors influence the clinical presentation, course, and progression of the disease. Additional elements, such as pregnancy, eating behavior, and environmental, social, and cultural factors may also contribute to this complex balance.Conclusions: The host-parasite interaction in OT is a complex and multifactorial relationship, with the parasite always on the driving edge of the game. There are still multiple incompletely understood fields to be investigated. Future research would permit further insight into the immune-biology of the parasite and recognition of the host-parasite interplay to improve the diagnostic and management performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chris Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Hercules Sakkas
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Bashar Mohammed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK
| | - Georgios Vartholomatos
- Hematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Malamos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Immunology Unit, NeURos Research Group, NeuroVitae Research Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Marchioro AA, Colli CM, de Souza CZ, da Silva SS, Tiyo BT, Evangelista FF, Higa L, Conchon-Costa I, Falavigna-Guilherme AL. Analysis of cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β and nitric oxide in amniotic fluid and serum of pregnant women with toxoplasmosis in southern Brazil. Cytokine 2018; 106:35-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Tong X, Chen S, Zheng H, Huang S, Lu F. Increased IL-27/IL-27R expression in association with the immunopathology of murine ocular toxoplasmosis. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2255-2263. [PMID: 29779048 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5914-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin 27 (IL-27) is a member of the IL-6/IL-12 family, and IL-27 receptor (IL-27R) consists of WSX-1 (the IL-27Rα subunit) and the signal-transducing subunit gp130. Human and mouse mast cells (MCs) express the IL-27R. To explore the expressions of IL-27/IL-27R subunits (WSX-1 and gp130) during acute ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), we established mouse model by intraocular injection of 500 Toxoplasma gondii RH strain tachyzoites. Histopathological changes were analyzed, MCs were counted by toluidine blue staining, and tryptase+/IL-27+ MCs were examined by immunofluorescence double-staining in the eyes and cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) of T. gondii-infected mice. The mRNA expressions of IL-27p28, WSX-1, gp130, and tachyzoite specific surface antigen 1 (SAG1) in the eyes and CLNs of T. gondii-infected mice, and the expressions of WSX-1 and gp130 in the murine mastocytoma cell line P815 infected with T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro were examined by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that, after T. gondii infection, severe histopathological changes, increased numbers of total MCs and degranulated MCs, elevated expressions of IL-27p28, WSX-1, and gp130 were found in the eyes and CLNs, and significant correlations between the levels of IL-27 and SAG1 existed in the eyes and CLNs of T. gondii-infected mice. In addition, increased levels of WSX-1 and gp130 were examined in T. gondii-infected P815 cells. Our data suggested that IL-27/IL-27R expression induced by T. gondii infection may regulate MC-mediated immune response during acute OT in mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Tong
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Shengjie Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Huanqin Zheng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Shiguang Huang
- School of Stomatology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
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Genetic Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes in Colombian Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00597-17. [PMID: 29426041 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00597-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which has the capacity to infect all warm-blooded animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of visual defects in the Colombian population; however, the association between genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis has not been studied in this population. This work evaluates the associations between polymorphisms in genes coding for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (rs1799964, rs1800629, rs1799724, rs1800630, and rs361525), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (rs16944, rs1143634, and rs1143627), IL-1α (rs1800587), gamma interferon (IFN-γ) (rs2430561), and IL-10 (rs1800896 and rs1800871) and the presence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a sample of a Colombian population (61 patients with OT and 116 healthy controls). Genotyping was performed with the "dideoxynucleotide (ddNTP) primer extension" technique. Functional-effect predictions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were done by using FuncPred. A polymorphism in the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082G/A) was significantly more prevalent in OT patients than in controls (P = 1.93e-08; odds ratio [OR] = 5.27e+03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 8.739; Bonferroni correction [BONF] = 3.48e-07). In contrast, haplotype "AG" of the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1800896 and rs1800871) was present at a lower frequency in OT patients (P = 7e-04; OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.35). The +874A/T polymorphism of IFN-γ was associated with OT (P = 3.37e-05; OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.478 to 7.12; BONF = 6.07e-04). Haplotype "GAG" of the IL-1β gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1143634, rs1143627, and rs16944) appeared to be significantly associated with OT (P = 0.0494). The IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-1β polymorphisms influence the development of OT in the Colombian population.
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Maia MM, Meira-Strejevitch CS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, de Hippólito DDC, Silva VO, Brandão de Mattos CC, Frederico FB, Siqueira RC, de Mattos LC. Evaluation of gene expression levels for cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2018; 39. [PMID: 28836673 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated levels for mRNA expression of 7 cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT Group, n = 23) and chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR Group, n = 9) were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. Negative controls (NC) were constituted of 7 PBMC samples from individuals seronegative for toxoplasmosis. mRNA expression for cytokines was determined by qPCR. Results showed a significant increase in mRNA levels from antigen stimulated PBMCs derived from OT Group for expressing IL-6 (at P < .005 and P < .0005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively), IL-10 (at P < .0005 and P < .005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively) and TGF-β (at P < .005) for NC group. mRNA levels for TNF-α and IL-12 were also upregulated in patients with OT compared to CHR and NC individuals, although without statistical significance. Additionally, mRNA levels for IL-27 and IFN-γ in PBMC of patients with OT were upregulated in comparison with NC individuals. Differences between OT and NC groups were statistically significant at P < .05 and P < .0005, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Maia
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - D D C de Hippólito
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - V O Silva
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C C Brandão de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - F B Frederico
- Ambulatório de Oftalmologia, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - R C Siqueira
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - L C de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Zahir-Jouzdani F, Atyabi F, Mojtabavi N. Interleukin-6 participation in pathology of ocular diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMID: 28629694 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that affects a variety of cells in the body such as osteoclasts, hepatocytes, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, white and red blood cells and etc. Elevated levels of IL-6 have been detected in many ocular diseases. Studies show that IL-6 has a major role in the pathology of glaucoma, CRVO, macular edema, ocular neovascularization, posterior capsule opacity formation, keratitis, dry eye disease, allergic eye disease, ocular autoimmune disease, corneal chemical burn, ocular inflammation and so on. IL-6 does its effects through the classic or trans-signal pathways in cells. Blocking of IL-6 signal pathways via Tocilizumab or other chemicals and therapeutics will help to overcome complications related to ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forouhe Zahir-Jouzdani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14174, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Atyabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14174, Iran.
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Pravastatin and simvastatin inhibit the adhesion, replication and proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain) in HeLa cells. Acta Trop 2017; 167:208-215. [PMID: 28012901 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The conventional treatment for toxoplasmosis with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine shows toxic effects to the host, and it is therefore necessary to search for new drugs. Some studies suggest the use of statins, which inhibit cholesterol synthesis in humans and also the initial processes of isoprenoid biosynthesis in the parasite. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of the statins pravastatin and simvastatin in HeLa cells infected in vitro with the RH strain of T. gondii. HeLa cells (1×105) were infected with T. gondii tachyzoites (5×105) following two different treatment protocols. In the first protocol, T. gondii tachyzoites were pretreated with pravastatin (50 and 100μg/mL) and simvastatin (1.56 and 3.125μg/mL) for 30min prior to infection. In the second, HeLa cells were first infected (5×105) with tachyzoites and subsequently treated with pravastatin and simvastatin for 24h at the concentrations noted above. Initially, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of drugs by the MTT assay, number of tachyzoites adhered to cells, number of infected cells, and viability of tachyzoites by trypan blue exclusion. The supernatant of the cell cultures was collected post-treatment for determination of the pattern of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines by cytometric bead array. There was no cytotoxicity to HeLa cells with 50 and 100μg/mL pravastatin and 1.56 and 3.125μg/mL simvastatin. There was no change in the viability of tachyzoites that received pretreatment. Regarding the pre- and post-treatment of the cells with pravastatin and simvastatin alone, there was a reduction in adhesion, invasion and proliferation of cells to T. gondii. As for the production of cytokines, we found that IL-6 and IL-17 were significantly reduced in cells infected with T. gondii and treated with pravastatin and simvastatin, when compared to control. Based on these results, we can infer that pravastatin and simvastatin alone possess antiproliferative effects on tachyzoites forms of T. gondii, giving these drugs new therapeutic uses.
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Carneiro ACAV, Machado AS, Béla SR, Costa JGL, Andrade GMQ, Vasconcelos-Santos DV, Januário JN, Coelho-Dos-Reis JG, Ferro EAV, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Vitor RWA, Martins-Filho OA. Cytokine Signatures Associated With Early Onset, Active Lesions and Late Cicatricial Events of Retinochoroidal Commitment in Infants With Congenital Toxoplasmosis. J Infect Dis 2016; 213:1962-70. [PMID: 26946460 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis is a prominent and severe condition of high incidence in Brazil. The current study provides new insights into the immunological events that can be associated with retinochoroiditis in the setting of congenital toxoplasmosis in human infants. METHODS Flow cytometry of intracytoplasmic cytokines in leukocyte subsets following in vitro short-term antigenic recall in infants with congenital T. gondii infection. RESULTS Our data demonstrates that whereas neutrophils and monocytes from T. gondii-infected infants display a combination of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokine profiles, natural killer cells showed a predominantly proinflammatory profile upon in vitro T. gondii stimulation. The proinflammatory response of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, characterized by the production of interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 17 in patients with an active retinochoroidal lesion, revealed the presence of IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor α during early and late immunological events. This specific proinflammatory pattern is associated with early events and active retinochoroidal lesion, whereas a robust monocyte-derived interleukin 10-mediated profile is observed in children with cicatricial ocular lesions. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the existence of a progressive immunological environment concomitant with the initial, apical, and cicatricial phases in the process of retinochoroidal lesion formation in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis that may be relevant in the establishment of stage-specific clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samantha Ribeiro Béla
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
| | | | | | | | - José Nélio Januário
- Núcleo de Ações e Pesquisa em Apoio Diagnóstico, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
| | | | | | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
| | | | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
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Peixe RG, Boechat MSB, Rangel ALP, Rosa RFG, Petzl-Erler ML, Bahia-Oliveira LMG. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the interferon gamma gene are associated with distinct types of retinochoroidal scar lesions presumably caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 109:99-107. [PMID: 24626309 PMCID: PMC4005530 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon (IFN)-γ gene ( IFNG ) with different types of retinal scar lesions presumably caused by toxoplasmosis were investigated in a cross-sectional population-based genetic study. Ten SNPs were investigated and after Bonferroni correction, only the associations between SNPs rs2069718 and rs3181035 with retinal/retinochoroidal scar lesions type A (most severe scar lesions) and C (least severe scar lesions), respectively, remained significant. The associations of two different IFNG SNPs with two different types of retinal lesions attributable to toxoplasmosis support the hypothesis that different inflammatory mechanisms underlie the development of these lesions. The in vitro analysis of IFN-γ secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Toxoplasma gondii antigens was also investigated. The association between SNP rs2069718 and type A scar lesions revealed that differential IFN-γ levels are correlated with distinct genotypes. However, no correlation was observed with IFN-γ secretion levels and the SNP rs3181035 , which was significantly associated with type C scar lesions. Our findings strongly suggest that immunogenetic studies of individuals with congenital or postnatally acquired infection are needed to better understand the role of IFN-γ and its polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Guerra Peixe
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Brasil, Campos dos GoytacazesRJ, Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcela Santana Bastos Boechat
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Brasil, Campos dos GoytacazesRJ, Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Alba Lucinia Peixoto Rangel
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Brasil, Campos dos GoytacazesRJ, Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rhônia França Gomes Rosa
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Brasil, Campos dos GoytacazesRJ, Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria Luiza Petzl-Erler
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brasil, CuritibaPR, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Lilian M G Bahia-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Brasil, Campos dos GoytacazesRJ, Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
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Martins LM, Rangel ALP, Peixe RG, Silva-Dos-Santos PP, Lemos EM, Martins-Filho OA, Bahia-Oliveira LMG. Specific IgM, IgG and IgG1 directed against Toxoplasma gondii detected by flow cytometry and their potential as serologic tools to support clinical indirect fundoscopic presumed diagnosis of ocular disease. J Immunol Methods 2014; 417:97-106. [PMID: 25527345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we evaluated the anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin profiles of a group of 118 individuals living in an endemic area. The aim of the study was to select biomarkers to support the ophthalmological diagnosis of retinal/retinochoroidal scars presumably caused by T. gondii infection. Overall anti-T. gondii reactivity of the IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE and IgG subclasses was investigated by flow cytometry-based anti-fixed tachyzoite antibodies (FC-AFTA) in four groups of subjects, referred to as: i) TOXO(L)--seropositive patients with retinal/retinochoroidal scars presumably caused by T. gondii infection; these patients were further subdivided according to morphological aspects of their ocular scar lesions as A, B or C; ii) TOXO(NL)--seropositive patients without ocular scar lesions; iii) NEG(L)--T. gondii seronegative patients presenting retinal lesions; and iv) NEG(NL)--T. gondii seronegative without retinal lesions (negative controls). Our data demonstrated that anti-T. gondii IgG profiles were able to discriminate the mean reactivity of TOXO(L) from all other clinical groups. Analysis of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin profiles revealed that IgM and IgG were good biomarkers capable of discriminating between individual reactivity in patients with retinal/retinochoroidal scars presumably caused by T. gondii infection [TOXO(L)] from those caused by other clinical conditions. Furthermore, anti-T. gondii IgG1 reactivity was able to discriminate TOXO(L) from all other clinical groups. In conclusion, the pre-selected IgM, IgG and IgG1 anti-T. gondii antibody subclasses were able to segregate both TOXO(L) and the other subgroups, including the scar lesion group types (A, B, C), from other clinical conditions. These results suggest the applicability of this technique in the clinical laboratory to detect putative biomarker for diagnosis of ocular lesions in T. gondii-infected patients. Studies in other areas implementing the methods described in the present study would be of value and enable evaluation of a system for classification of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis scar lesions. This classification would make comparative studies on ocular toxoplasmosis conducted in different regions around the world possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Mattos Martins
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alba Lucinia Peixoto Rangel
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Guerra Peixe
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Elenice Moreira Lemos
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lilian Maria Garcia Bahia-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro UFRJ, Macaé, RJ, Brazil.
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Meira CS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Vidal JE, de Mattos CCB, Motoie G, Costa-Silva TA, Gava R, Frederico FB, de Mattos LC. Cerebral and ocular toxoplasmosis related with IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:492. [PMID: 25352834 PMCID: PMC4195364 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed the synthesis of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin 10 (IL-10) in chronically infected patients which developed the symptomatic disease as cerebral or ocular toxoplasmosis. Blood from 61 individuals were divided into four groups: Cerebral toxoplasmosis/AIDS patients (CT/AIDS group) (n = 15), ocular toxoplasmosis patients (OT group) (n = 23), chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR group) (n = 13) and healthy individuals (HI group) (n = 10). OT, CHR, and HI groups were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative. The diagnosis was made by laboratorial (PCR and ELISA) and clinical subjects. For cytokine determination, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of each patient were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 activities were determined by ELISA. Patients from CT/AIDS and OT groups had low levels of IFN-γ when were compared with those from CHR group. These data suggest the low resistance to develop ocular lesions by the low ability to produce IFN-γ against the parasite. The same patients, which developed ocular or cerebral toxoplasmosis had higher TNF-α levels than CHR individuals. High TNF-α synthesis contribute to the inflammatory response and damage of the choroid and retina in OT patients and in AIDS patients caused a high inflammatory response as the TNF-α synthesis is not affected since monocytes are the major source this cytokine in response to soluble T. gondii antigens. IL-10 levels were almost similar in CT/AIDS and OT patients but low when compared with CHR individuals. The deviation to Th2 immune response including the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 may promote the parasite's survival causing the tissue immune destruction. IL-10 production in T. gondii-infected brains may support the persistence of parasites as down-regulating the intracerebral immune response. All these indicate that OT and CT/AIDS patients produced low levels of IL-10 (Th2 response) and IFN-γ (Th1 response). They produced high TNF-α suggesting a high inflammatory response triggered by the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina S Meira
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - José E Vidal
- Departamento de Neurologia, Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Cinara C Brandão de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Motoie
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gava
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio B Frederico
- Ambulatório de Oftalmologia, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina, Hospital de Base São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz C de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
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Silveira C, Gargano N, Kijlstra A, Petersen E. Toxoplasmavaccines: appropriate end points and sample size in future human clinical trials. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 7:905-8. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Rudzinski M, Meyer A, Khoury M, Couto C. Is reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis associated to increased annual rainfall? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 20:44. [PMID: 24225023 PMCID: PMC3826532 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2013044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is the most frequent form of uveitis in Misiones, Argentina. Fluctuations in the number of patients consulting with this type of uveitis were detected during the last decade. Since the province was consecutively exposed to rainy and dry periods over the last years, we decided to explore whether a relationship between reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and rain might be established according to the data registered during the 2004-2010 period. RESULTS The frequency of toxoplasmic reactivation episodes increases when precipitation increases (mostly in second and fourth trimesters of each year). Analysis of the independent variables demonstrates that precipitation is a significant predictor of the frequency of reactivation episodes. Although registered toxoplasmic reactivations were more frequent during the third trimester of the year, the association between the third trimester and the reactivation episodes did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION Prolonged and intense rainfall periods were significantly associated with the reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Changes promoted by this climatic condition on both the parasite survival in the soil as well as a putative effect on the host immune response due to other comorbidities are discussed.
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de-la-Torre A, Sauer A, Pfaff AW, Bourcier T, Brunet J, Speeg-Schatz C, Ballonzoli L, Villard O, Ajzenberg D, Sundar N, Grigg ME, Gomez-Marin JE, Candolfi E. Severe South American ocular toxoplasmosis is associated with decreased Ifn-γ/Il-17a and increased Il-6/Il-13 intraocular levels. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2541. [PMID: 24278490 PMCID: PMC3837637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In a cross sectional study, 19 French and 23 Colombian cases of confirmed active ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) were evaluated. The objective was to compare clinical, parasitological and immunological responses and relate them to the infecting strains. A complete ocular examination was performed in each patient. The infecting strain was characterized by genotyping when intraocular Toxoplasma DNA was detectable, as well as by peptide-specific serotyping for each patient. To characterize the immune response, we assessed Toxoplasma protein recognition patterns by intraocular antibodies and the intraocular profile of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Significant differences were found for size of active lesions, unilateral macular involvement, unilateral visual impairment, vitreous inflammation, synechiae, and vasculitis, with higher values observed throughout for Colombian patients. Multilocus PCR-DNA sequence genotyping was only successful in three Colombian patients revealing one type I and two atypical strains. The Colombian OT patients possessed heterogeneous atypical serotypes whereas the French were uniformly reactive to type II strain peptides. The protein patterns recognized by intraocular antibodies and the cytokine patterns were strikingly different between the two populations. Intraocular IFN-γ and IL-17 expression was lower, while higher levels of IL-13 and IL-6 were detected in aqueous humor of Colombian patients. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that South American strains may cause more severe OT due to an inhibition of the protective effect of IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra de-la-Torre
- GEPAMOL, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Universidad del Rosario, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Inmunología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Arnaud Sauer
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alexander W. Pfaff
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tristan Bourcier
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julie Brunet
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claude Speeg-Schatz
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Ballonzoli
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Odile Villard
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Daniel Ajzenberg
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France and INSERM UMR 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Natarajan Sundar
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Grigg
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jorge E. Gomez-Marin
- GEPAMOL, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Ermanno Candolfi
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Butler NS, Harris TH, Blader IJ. Regulation of immunopathogenesis during Plasmodium and Toxoplasma infections: more parallels than distinctions? Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:593-602. [PMID: 24184186 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma and Plasmodium parasites exact a significant toll on public health. Host immunity required for efficient control of infection by these Apicomplexans involves the induction of potent T cell responses, which sometimes results in immunopathological damage. Thus, protective immune responses must be balanced by regulatory networks that limit immunopathology. We review several key cellular and molecular immunoregulatory networks operational during Toxoplasma and Plasmodium infections. Accumulating data show that despite differences in how the immune response controls these parasites, many host immunoregulatory pathways and cellular networks are common to both. Thus, understanding the cellular and molecular circuits that prevent or regulate immunopathological responses against one parasite is likely to inform our understanding of the host response to the other parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah S Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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The local immune response to intraocular Toxoplasma re-challenge: less pathology and better parasite control through Treg/Th1/Th2 induction. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:721-8. [PMID: 23702129 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is a major cause of blindness world-wide. Ocular involvement is frequently seen following congenital infection. Many of these infections are quiescent but pose a life-time risk of reactivation. However, the physiopathology of ocular toxoplasmosis reactivation is largely unexplored. We previously developed a Swiss-Webster outbred mouse model for congenital toxoplasmosis by neonatal injection of Toxoplasma gondii cysts. We also used a mouse model of direct intraocular infection to show a deleterious local T helper 17 type response upon primary infection. In the present study, our two models were combined to study intravitreal re-challenge of neonatally infected mice, as an approximate model of reactivation, in comparison with a primary ocular infection. Using BioPlex proteomic assays in aqueous humour and reverse transcription-PCR for T helper cell transcription factors, we observed diminished T helper 17 type reaction in reinfection, compared with primary infection. In contrast, T helper 2 and T regulatory responses were enhanced. Interestingly, this was also true for T helper 1 markers such as IFN-γ, which was paralleled by better parasite control. Secretion of IL-27, a central cytokine for shifting the immune response from T helper 17 to T helper 1, was also greatly enhanced. We observed a similar protective immune reaction pattern in the eye upon reinfection with the virulent RH strain, with the notable exception of IFN-γ. In summary, our results show that the balance is shifted from T helper 17 to a less pathogenic but more effective anti-parasite Treg/T helper 1/T helper 2 pattern in a reactivation setting.
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an Apicomplexan, is a pathogic protozoan that can infect the central nervous system. Infection during pregnancy can result in a congenial infection with severe neurological sequelae. In immunocompromised individuals reactivation of latent neurological foci can result in encephalitis. Immunocompetent individuals infected with T. gondii are typically asymptomatic and maintain this infection for life. However, recent studies suggest that these asymptomatic infections may have effects on behavior and other physiological processes. Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately one-third of the world population, making it one of the most successful parasitic organisms. Cats and other felidae serve as the definite host producing oocysts, an environmentally resistant life cycle stage found in cat feces, which can transmit the infection when ingested orally. A wide variety of warm-blooded animals, including humans, can serve as the intermediate host in which tissue cysts (containing bradyzoites) develop. Transmission also occurs due to ingestion of the tissue cysts. There are three predominant clonal lineages, termed Types I, II and III, and an association with higher pathogenicity with the Type I strains in humans has emerged. This chapter presents a review of the biology of this infection including the life cycle, transmission, epidemiology, parasite strains, and the host immune response. The major clinical outcomes of congenital infection, chorioretinitis and encephalitis, and the possible association of infection of toxoplasmosis with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra K Halonen
- Department of Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
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Sauer A, Villard O, Bourcier T, Speeg-Schatz C, Candolfi E. Toxoplasmose oculaire : de la physiopathologie au diagnostic microbiologique. J Fr Ophtalmol 2013; 36:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Dutra MS, Béla SR, Peixoto-Rangel AL, Fakiola M, Cruz AG, Gazzinelli A, Quites HF, Bahia-Oliveira LMG, Peixe RG, Campos WR, Higino-Rocha AC, Miller NE, Blackwell JM, Antonelli LR, Gazzinelli RT. Association of a NOD2 gene polymorphism and T-helper 17 cells with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis. J Infect Dis 2012; 207:152-63. [PMID: 23100559 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinochoroiditis manifests in patients infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Here, we assessed 30 sibships and 89 parent/case trios of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis (POT) to evaluate associations with polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene. Three haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) within the NOD2 gene were genotyped. The family-based association test showed that the tag-SNP rs3135499 is associated with retinochoroiditis (P = .039). We then characterized the cellular immune response of 59 cases of POT and 4 cases of active ocular toxoplasmosis (AOT). We found no differences in levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 2 produced by T-helper 1 cells when comparing patients with AOT or POT to asymptomatic individuals. Unexpectedly, we found an increased interleukin 17A (IL-17A) production in patients with POT or OAT. In patients with POT or AOT, the main cellular source of IL-17A was CD4(+)CD45RO(+)T-bet(-)IFN-γ(-) T-helper 17 cells. Altogether, our results suggest that NOD2 influences the production of IL-17A by CD4(+) T lymphocytes and might contribute to the development of ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam S Dutra
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, CPqRR-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Nitoda E, Moschos MM, Mavragani CP, Koutsilieris M. Ocular actions of platelet-activating factor: clinical implications. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16:1027-39. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2012.712961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Sauer A, Pfaff AW, Villard O, Creuzot-Garcher C, Dalle F, Chiquet C, Pelloux H, Speeg-Schatz C, Gaucher D, Prevost G, Bourcier T, Candolfi E. Interleukin 17A as an Effective Target for Anti-inflammatory and Antiparasitic Treatment of Toxoplasmic Uveitis. J Infect Dis 2012; 206:1319-29. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2010; 21:495-501. [PMID: 20948381 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0b013e3283402a34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Escoffier P, Jeanny J, Marinach-Patrice C, Jonet L, Raoul W, Behar-Cohen F, Paris L, Danis M, Dubremetz J, Mazier D. Toxoplasma gondii: Flat-mounting of retina as a new tool for the observation of ocular infection in mice. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:259-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2009] [Revised: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Peixoto-Rangel AL, Miller EN, Castellucci L, Jamieson SE, Peixe RG, Elias LDS, Correa-Oliveira R, Bahia-Oliveira LM, Blackwell JM. Candidate gene analysis of ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazil: evidence for a role for toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 104:1187-90. [PMID: 20140383 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000800019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is an important mediator of ocular disease in Brazil more frequently than reported from elsewhere. Infection and pathology are characterized by a strong proinflammatory response which in mice is triggered by interaction of the parasite with the toll-like receptor (TLR)/MyD88 pathway. A powerful way to identify the role of TLRs in humans is to determine whether polymorphisms at these loci influence susceptibility to T. gondii-mediated pathologies. Here we report on a small family-based study (60 families; 68 affected offspring) undertaken in Brazil which was powered for large effect sizes using single nucleotide polymorphisms with minor alleles frequencies > 0.3. Of markers in TLR2, TLR5 and TLR9 that met these criteria, we found an association Family Based Association Tests [(FBAT) Z score = 4.232; p = 1.5 x 10-5; p corrected = 1.2 x 10-4] between the C allele (frequency = 0.424; odds ratio = 7; 95% confidence interval 1.6-30.8) of rs352140 at TLR9 and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in Brazil. This supports the hypothesis that direct interaction between T. gondii and TLR9 may trigger proinflammatory responses that lead to severe pathologies such as the ocular disease that is associated with this infection in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba L Peixoto-Rangel
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
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Bahia-Oliveira LMG, Silva JAD, Peixoto-Rangel AL, Boechat MSB, Oliveira AMWA, Massara CL, Peixe RG. Host immune response to Toxoplasma gondii and Ascaris lumbricoides in a highly endemic area: evidence of parasite co-immunomodulation properties influencing the outcome of both infections. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 104:273-80. [PMID: 19430653 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000200021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and ascaridiasis evoke polar Th-1 and Th-2 host immune responses, respectively. A study to investigate the specific cytokine profile production by in vitro cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals living under precarious sanitary conditions in a highly endemic area for the parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Ascaris lumbricoides was conducted. High levels of both IFN-gamma (Th-1) and IL-13 (Th-2) were observed in groups of co-infected individuals presenting toxoplasmic ocular lesions. Significantly lower IL-10 and TGF-beta levels were produced by co-infected individuals in comparison with groups of individuals not infected with A. lumbricoides and either positive or negative for T. gondii living under good sanitary conditions (control groups). The possible influence of co-parasitism on the clinical presentation of ocular toxoplasmosis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lílian M G Bahia-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
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Lahmar I, Guinard M, Sauer A, Marcellin L, Abdelrahman T, Roux M, Mousli M, Moussa A, Babba H, Pfaff AW, Candolfi E. Murine neonatal infection provides an efficient model for congenital ocular toxoplasmosis. Exp Parasitol 2010; 124:190-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2009] [Revised: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 09/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Pereira KS, Franco RMB, Leal DAG. Transmission of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) by foods. ADVANCES IN FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2010; 60:1-19. [PMID: 20691951 DOI: 10.1016/s1043-4526(10)60001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan foodborne diseases are generally underrecognized. Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections to humans and domestic animals. The most likely source of T. gondii occurring through food is the consumption of raw or undercooked meat contaminated with tissue cysts. Sporulated T. gondii oocysts, from the feces of infected cats, present in the environment are a potential source of infection. The ingestion of water contaminated with oocysts and the eating of unwashed raw vegetables or fruits were identified as an important risk factor in most epidemiological studies. This review presents information and data to show the importance of T. gondii transmission by foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Signori Pereira
- Departamento de Engenharia Bioquímica, Escola de Química, Centro de Tecnologia Bloco E - Sala 203, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Anti-retinal autoantibodies in experimental ocular and systemic toxoplasmosis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2009; 248:573-84. [PMID: 19956968 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-009-1242-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2009] [Revised: 10/25/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) develop autoreactivity to several retinal antigens, including retinal S-antigen. By establishing an experimental rabbit model of systemic and of primary and secondary ocular toxoplasmosis, we wished to investigate the onset and development of humoral response to retinal S-antigen. METHODS Of twelve infection-naïve rabbits, six were left untreated, and the other six were infected subcutaneously with 5,000 tachyzoites of the highly virulent, non-cyst-forming BK-strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Three months later, the left eye of each animal was infected transvitreally with 5,000 tachyzoites of the same strain. The right eye of each rabbit served as an uninfected control. Blood and aqueous humor were collected prior to infection, and up to 90 days thereafter. Using the ELISA technique, all samples were analyzed in parallel for total IgG, and antibodies against toxoplasmic, bovine retinal S-antigen and peptide 35 from human S-antigen. RESULTS In infection-naïve rabbits Toxoplasma-specific antibodies were detected 10 to 15 days after systemic and ocular infection. Serum antibodies against retinal S-antigen and peptide 35 were not detected in response to systemic Toxoplasma infection. After ocular challenge, aqueous-humour levels of antibodies against retinal S-antigen and peptide 35 in the infected eye began to rise 10 to 15 days later in infection-naïve, but not in infection-immunized animals. During the early post-infection period, the concentrations of anti-retinal antibodies in the infected eye correlated with the severity of inflammatory tissue destruction, but returned to baseline later even though the inflammatory response persisted. In the uninfected partner eye, concentrations of anti-retinal and toxoplasmic antibodies did not correlate with each other. CONCLUSION Our data afford no evidence of similarities between toxoplasmic and retinal antigens, nor of infection-induced humoral autoimmunity. They indicate rather that retinal autoantigens are liberated in the context of inflammatory tissue destruction due to ocular toxoplasmosis.
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