1
|
Zhong YB, Zhang XL, Lv MY, Hu XF, Li Y. Detection of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in Sprague-Dawely rats' atrophic thymus induced by lipopolysaccharide. Pol J Vet Sci 2019; 21:589-597. [PMID: 30468342 DOI: 10.24425/124294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate developmental changes of the thymus and intra- thymic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expression in weaned Sprague-Dawley rats induced by lipopolysac- charide. METHODS Forty healthy weaned rats aged 26 days and weighing 83±4 g were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The lipopolysaccharide group was treated daily with a single injection of lipopolysaccharide for 10 consecutive days, and the saline group was treated with an equal volume of sterilized saline. On the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th day, histological changes and distribu- tion of IL-1β-, IL-6- and TNF-α-positive cells were detected in the thymus by hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. Subsequently, the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were evaluated in the thymus by the ELISA method. RESULTS Thymus weight and index were significantly smaller in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats than in saline-treated rats (p⟨0.05), but no substantial changes were found in the thymus microstructure after lipopolysaccharide induction. Moreover, a large number of IL-1β-, IL-6- and TNF-α-positive cells were observed with brownish-yellow color and mainly distributed in the thy- mus parenchyma, both integrated optical density and average optical density increased signifi- cantly in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats than those in saline-treated rats. Compared with the saline group, most of the thymic homogenates had higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the lipopolysaccharide group on different days. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the thymus atrophied after lipopolysaccharide induction in weaned Sprague-Dawley rats, and excessive production of intrathymic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was probably involved in the atrophic process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y B Zhong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China.,Technology Center of Experimental Animal, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1688 Meiling Avenue, Wanli District, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - X L Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - M Y Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - X F Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - Y Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China.,Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pérez AR, Morrot A, Carvalho VF, de Meis J, Savino W. Role of Hormonal Circuitry Upon T Cell Development in Chagas Disease: Possible Implications on T Cell Dysfunctions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:334. [PMID: 29963015 PMCID: PMC6010535 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell response plays an essential role in the host resistance to infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This infection is often associated with multiple manifestations of T cell dysfunction, both during the acute and the chronic phases of disease. Additionally, the normal development of T cells is affected. As seen in animal models of Chagas disease, there is a strong thymic atrophy due to massive death of CD4+CD8+ double-positive cells by apoptosis and an abnormal escape of immature and potentially autoreactive thymocytes from the organ. Furthermore, an increase in the release of corticosterone triggered by T. cruzi-driven systemic inflammation is strongly associated with the alterations seen in the thymus of infected animals. Moreover, changes in the levels of other hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin, and testosterone are also able to contribute to the disruption of thymic homeostasis secondary to T. cruzi infection. In this review, we discuss the role of hormonal circuits involved in the normal T cell development and trafficking, as well as their role on the thymic alterations likely related to the peripheral T cell disturbances largely reported in both chagasic patients and animal models of Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology (IDICER-CONICET UNR), Rosario, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Ana Rosa Pérez, ,
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Faculty of Medicine, Tuberculosis Research Center, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Frias Carvalho
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dai X, Huang S, He Z, Wu F, Ding R, Chen Y, Liang C, Wu Z. Dysfunction of the thymus in mice with hypertension. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:1386-1392. [PMID: 28413482 PMCID: PMC5377285 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate thymus function in mice with hypertension. A total of 60 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control, sham surgery and two-kidney, one-clip groups (n=20 in each). At 4 or 8 weeks after surgery, mice were sacrificed, and blood, spleens, kidneys and thymuses were harvested. The results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of Forkhead box protein N1 (Foxn1) and autoimmune regulator (AIRE) in the thymus tissue of mice from the HTN group were significantly lower than those from the control group at 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). Foxn1 and AIRE expression was also reduced in the sham surgery group at 4 weeks after surgery, but had recovered 4 weeks later. Similar results were observed for the expression of signal-joint T cell receptor excision circles and the percentages of T cell subsets. The present study indicates that impaired thymus function is associated with hypertension in mice, which suggests that thymus function may be a novel target for the treatment of patients with hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianliang Dai
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Shuaibo Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqing He
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Ru Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Yihong Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Zonggui Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Linhares-Lacerda L, Palu CC, Ribeiro-Alves M, Paredes BD, Morrot A, Garcia-Silva MR, Cayota A, Savino W. Differential Expression of microRNAs in Thymic Epithelial Cells from Trypanosoma cruzi Acutely Infected Mice: Putative Role in Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2015; 6:428. [PMID: 26347748 PMCID: PMC4543887 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A common feature seen in acute infections is a severe atrophy of the thymus. This occurs in the murine model of acute Chagas disease. Moreover, in thymuses from Trypanosoma cruzi acutely infected mice, thymocytes exhibit an increase in the density of fibronectin and laminin integrin-type receptors, with an increase in migratory response ex vivo. Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) play a major role in the intrathymic T cell differentiation. To date, the consequences of molecular changes promoted by parasite infection upon thymus have not been elucidated. Considering the importance of microRNA for gene expression regulation, 85 microRNAs (mRNAs) were analyzed in TEC from T. cruzi acutely infected mice. The infection significantly modulated 29 miRNAs and modulation of 9 was also dependent whether TEC sorted out from the thymus exhibited cortical or medullary phenotype. In silico analysis revealed that these miRNAs may control target mRNAs known to be responsible for chemotaxis, cell adhesion, and cell death. Considering that we sorted TEC in the initial phase of thymocyte loss, it is conceivable that changes in TEC miRNA expression profile are functionally related to thymic atrophy, providing new clues to better understanding the mechanisms of the thymic involution seen in experimental Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Linhares-Lacerda
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Cintia Cristina Palu
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Bruno Diaz Paredes
- The National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | | | - Alfonso Cayota
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo , Uruguay
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Roggero E, Perez A, Tamae-Kakazu M, Piazzon I, Nepomnaschy I, Wietzerbin J, Serra E, Revelli S, Bottasso O. Differential susceptibility to acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice is not associated with a distinct parasite load but cytokine abnormalities. Clin Exp Immunol 2002; 128:421-8. [PMID: 12067296 PMCID: PMC1906265 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2002.01874.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inoculation of Trypanosoma cruzi, Tulahuén strain, into C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice led to an acute infection characterized by marked parasitaemia, myocardial inflammation and thymocyte depletion. While C57BL/6 mice showed a progressive and lethal disease, BALB/c mice partly recovered. To characterize these murine models more effectively, we studied the parasite burden, serum levels of major infection outcome-related cytokines, the in vitro features of T. cruzi infection in peritoneal macrophages and the immunophenotype of thymic cells. The greater disease severity of T. cruzi-infected C57BL/6 mice was not linked to an increased parasite load, as parasitaemia, myocardial parasite nests and amastigote counts in peritoneal macrophages were not different from those in BALB/c mice. Cortical thymocyte loss was accompanied by the presence of apoptotic bodies and fragmented nuclear DNA, whereas fluorocytometric analysis at 17 days postinfection (p.i.) revealed a more pronounced loss of CD4+ CD8+ cells in C57BL/6 mice. This group displayed higher levels of TNF-alpha on days 14 and 21 p.i., in the presence of lower IL-1beta and IL-10 concentrations by days 14 and 21, and days 7 and 14 p.i., respectively. Day-21 evaluation showed higher concentrations of nitrate and TNF-alpha soluble receptors in C57BL/6 mice with no differences in IFN-gamma levels, with respect to the BALB/c group. Increased morbidity of C57BL/6 T. cruzi-infected mice does not seem to result from an aggravated infection but from an unbalanced relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Roggero
- Instituto de Inmunologia, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The effects of peroxisome proliferators on the immune system of male C57B1/6 mice have been investigated. Significant atrophy of the thymus and spleen was observed in animals treated with potent peroxisome proliferators (e.g. perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Wy-14643 and nafenopin), whereas the effects of a moderate peroxisome proliferator (i.e. acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)) were relatively weak. The time course of thymic and splenic atrophy caused by PFOA was found to resemble the time course of the increase in liver weight and of peroxisome proliferation. Analysis of the numbers and phenotypes of thymocytes and splenocytes from PFOA-treated mice revealed the following: (i) the numbers of thymocytes and splenocytes were decreased > 90% and about 50%, respectively, by PFOA treatment; (ii) although all populations of thymocytes were decreased, the immature CD4+CD8+ population was decreased most dramatically; (iii) the numbers of both T and B cells in the spleen were decreased by PFOA treatment. Analysis of the cell cycle of thymocytes indicated that the thymic atrophy caused by PFOA in mice results, at least in part, from inhibition of thymocyte proliferation. Interestingly, in vitro exposure to PFOA for up to 24 h did not produce analogous effects in either thymocytes or splenocytes. Thus, the thymic and splenic atrophy caused by PFOA appears to involve an indirect pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Q Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Stockholm University, Sweden.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|