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de Oliveira Rekowsky LL, de Oliveira DT, Cazzaniga RA, Magalhães LS, Albuquerque LF, Araujo JMS, Tenório MDL, Machado TC, Lipscomb MW, Dos Santos PL, Ribeiro de Jesus A, Bezerra-Santos M, da Silva RLL. Influence of Testosterone in Neglected Tropical Diseases: Clinical Aspects in Leprosy and In Vitro Experiments in Leishmaniasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:357. [PMID: 37505653 PMCID: PMC10385189 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8070357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases encompass a group of chronic and debilitating infectious diseases that primarily affect marginalized populations. Among these diseases, leprosy and leishmaniasis are endemic in numerous countries and can result in severe and disfiguring manifestations. Although there have been reports indicating a higher incidence of leprosy and leishmaniasis in males, the underlying factors contributing to this observation remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine both clinical and experimental evidence regarding the role of testosterone in leprosy and leishmaniasis. A prospective clinical study was conducted to compare the clinical forms of leprosy and assess circulating testosterone levels. Additionally, the impact of testosterone on Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages was evaluated in vitro. The findings demonstrated that serum testosterone levels were higher in women with leprosy than in the control group, irrespective of the multi- or pauci-bacillary form of the disease. However, no differences in testosterone levels were observed in men when comparing leprosy patients and controls. Interestingly, increasing doses of testosterone in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis resulted in a higher proportion of infected cells, decreased CD40 expression on the cell surface, elevated expression of SOCS1, and decreased expression of IRF5. These findings provide biological evidence to support the influence of testosterone on intracellular infections, though the interpretation of clinical evidence remains limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Lima de Oliveira Rekowsky
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Daniela Teles de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Anselmo Cazzaniga
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Lucas Sousa Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Lenise Franco Albuquerque
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Jonnia Maria Sherlock Araujo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Martha Débora Lira Tenório
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Tiziane Cotta Machado
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Michael W Lipscomb
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Priscila Lima Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Amelia Ribeiro de Jesus
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia (iii), Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT), CNPq, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Márcio Bezerra-Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Luís Louzada da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Health Education Department, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto 49400000, Brazil
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Costa LDLN, Lima US, Rodrigues V, Lima MIS, Silva LA, Ithamar J, Azevedo CMPS. Factors associated with relapse and hospital death in patients coinfected with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV: a longitudinal study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:141. [PMID: 36882732 PMCID: PMC9993705 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic parasitic disease in Latin America, and its clinical picture is aggravated in coinfections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The objective of this study was to investigate clinical factors and laboratory variables associated with VL relapse and death in VL/HIV coinfected patients. METHODS A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from January 2013 to July 2020 among 169 patients coinfected with VL and HIV. The outcomes investigated were the occurrence of VL relapse and death. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The occurrence rates were 41.4% for VL relapse and 11.2% for death. Splenomegaly and adenomegaly were associated with the increased risk of VL relapse. Patients with VL relapse had higher levels of urea (p = .005) and creatinine (p < .001). Patients who died had lower red blood cell counts (p = .012), hemoglobin (p = .017) and platelets (p < .001). The adjusted model showed that antiretroviral therapy for more than 6 months was associated with a decrease in VL relapse, and adenomegaly was associated with an increase in VL relapse. In addition, edema, dehydration, poor general health status, and paleness were associated with an increase in hospital death. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that adenomegaly, antiretroviral therapy, and renal abnormalities can be associated with VL relapse, while hematological abnormalities, and clinical manifestations like paleness, and edema can be associated with an increased odds of hospital death. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The study was submitted to the Ethics and Research Committee of the Federal University of Maranhão (Protocol: 409.351).
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa D L N Costa
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, 65080-806, Brazil.
| | - Uiara S Lima
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, 65080-806, Brazil
| | - Vandilson Rodrigues
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Mayara I S Lima
- Health and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Lucilene A Silva
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, 65080-806, Brazil
| | - Jorim Ithamar
- President Vargas State Hospital, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Conceição M P S Azevedo
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, São Luís, Maranhão, 65080-806, Brazil.,President Vargas State Hospital, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.,Department of Medicine, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
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Sánchez-García L, Pérez-Torres A, Muñoz-Cruz S, Salaiza-Suazo N, Morales-Montor J, Becker I. Mast-Cell Response to Leishmania mexicana and Sand-Fly Salivary Proteins Is Modulated by Orchiectomy. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040398. [PMID: 35456073 PMCID: PMC9025480 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) play a crucial role during Leishmania infections, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected sand fly that injects saliva together with the parasite. Sand fly saliva is a complex fluid that modulates the host immune response. In addition, hormonal factors modulate the host immune response and alter susceptibility to infections. Thus, to assess the impact of male sex hormones on the mast-cell (MC) response to Leishmania infections, we orchiectomized male mice, infected them with the parasite in the presence of sand fly salivary proteins, and analyzed the inflammatory response of MCs. Our results showed that the MC response to the parasite and vector salivary proteins differed between orchiectomized and sham-operated mice. In orchiectomized mice, MC showed a retarded activation pattern, associated with slower degranulation and weaker TNF-α, histamine, and tryptase staining in response to the infection with Leishmania mexicana combined with vector-salivary proteins, as compared to sham mice. Furthermore, neutrophil infiltration was slower in orchiectomized mice, and numbers of infected macrophages and lesion sizes were smaller. Our results show that, during Leishmania infection, male sex hormones modulate the mast-cell response against the parasite and salivary proteins of the sand fly vector, inducing an intense inflammatory response. Their absence in orchiectomized mice retards the inflammatory response, enabling better control of the infection and slower disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sánchez-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-S.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +52-55-5622-3854/+52-55-5622-3732; Fax: +52-55-5622-3369
| | - Armando Pérez-Torres
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Samira Muñoz-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
| | - Norma Salaiza-Suazo
- Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-S.); (I.B.)
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-S.); (I.B.)
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Tamponi C, Scarpa F, Carta S, Knoll S, Sanna D, Gai C, Pipia AP, Dessì G, Casu M, Varcasia A, Scala A. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania infantum in dogs in Sardinia (Italy), an endemic island for leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:289-300. [PMID: 33205238 PMCID: PMC7846507 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06973-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread, vector-borne parasitosis causing clinical manifestations in animals and in humans. In dogs, Canine Leishmaniasis has been reported in as much as 50 countries and the Mediterranean basin is known to be one of the most affected zones. Within these areas, the Island of Sardinia (Italy) has long been considered endemic for leishmaniasis and the presence of two arthropod vectors has recently been reported there. Nevertheless, to date, no epidemiological surveys regarding CanL have been carried out on the island. Hence, for the first time, the seroprevalence and the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples, as well as clinical and general information from 1.147 dogs, were collected and analyzed. Dogs consisted of two distinct populations, namely "owned dogs" and "kennel dogs." Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected using IFAT and samples were scored as positive at a cut-off dilution of 1:80. Data was analyzed using a Chi-squared test and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Overall, 15.4% of dogs were found to be infected with CanL while only 44.1% of these animals exhibited clinical signs. Owned dogs (27.2%) were found to be infected more often than kennel dogs (10.6%); male dogs were found to be more frequently infected than female dogs and the number of infected animals increases with age. The present survey confirmed the endemic nature of leishmaniasis in Sardinia with a similar seroprevalence as mainland Italy. The results obtained serve as validation for the hypothesis that, in endemic areas, clinical CanL representations constitute only a fraction of the leishmaniasis cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tamponi
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Carta
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Stephane Knoll
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Daria Sanna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carolina Gai
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Pipia
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Casu
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Cloots K, Burza S, Malaviya P, Hasker E, Kansal S, Mollett G, Chakravarty J, Roy N, Lal BK, Rijal S, Sundar S, Boelaert M. Male predominance in reported Visceral Leishmaniasis cases: Nature or nurture? A comparison of population-based with health facility-reported data. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007995. [PMID: 31995564 PMCID: PMC7010295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bangladesh, India, and Nepal aim for the elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), a systemic parasitic infectious disease, as a public health problem by 2020. For decades, male patients have comprised the majority of reported VL cases in this region. By comparing this reported VL sex ratio to the one observed in population-based studies conducted in the Indian subcontinent, we tested the working hypothesis that mainly socio-cultural gender differences in healthcare-seeking behavior explain this gender imbalance. Methodology/Principal findings We compared the observed sex ratio of male versus female among all VL cases reported by the health system in Nepal and in the two most endemic states in India with that observed in population-based cohort studies in India and Nepal. Also, we assessed male sex as a potential risk factor for seroprevalence at baseline, seroconversion, and VL incidence in the same population-based data. The male/female ratio among VL cases reported by the health systems was 1.40 (95% CI 1.37–1.43). In the population cohort data, the age- and study site-adjusted male to female risk ratio was 1.27 (95% CI 1.08–1.51). Also, males had a 19% higher chance of being seropositive at baseline in the population surveys (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.11–1.27), while we observed no significant difference in seroconversion rate between both sexes at the DAT cut-off titer defined as the primary endpoint. Conclusions/Significance Our population-based data show that male sex is a risk factor for VL, and not only as a socio-cultural determinant. Biological sex-related differences likely play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease that is lethal if not treated timely and mainly affects impoverished populations. Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have targeted the elimination of this disease as a public health problem by 2020. The majority of VL patients attending the health services are male, and this is usually attributed to unequal access to health care for men and women in this sociocultural context. We analyzed two large datasets obtained in population surveillance projects, including regular door-to-door screening for VL, in India and Nepal. Thereby we minimized any potential differences in access to health care between both sexes, as every suspect VL case occurring in the community received a full diagnostic work-up, and the research project facilitated transport to treatment centers if needed. By comparing the observed sex ratio in the health services records with those of the population surveillance records, we aimed to reach meaningful conclusions about the pathway through which male gender exerts its leverage for increasing VL risk: socio-cultural determinants blocking women from accessing care (nurture) or biological factors (nature) making men more vulnerable to VL. Because in the population-based age adjusted-data, male VL cases were significantly more frequent than female, our findings strongly suggest that in the Indian subcontinent, biological differences between men and women play a more critical role in the pathogenesis of VL than previously assumed, and the observed male predominance in VL cases in health services cannot be explained by socio-cultural factors only. Moreover, data show that above the age of 14 years, males are seropositive more often than females and are at higher risk to develop VL disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristien Cloots
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Epco Hasker
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sangeeta Kansal
- Department of Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Guy Mollett
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaya Chakravarty
- Department of Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Nurpur Roy
- National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi, India
| | - Bibek Kumar Lal
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suman Rijal
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Sex-Related Differences in Immune Response and Symptomatic Manifestations to Infection with Leishmania Species. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:4103819. [PMID: 30756088 PMCID: PMC6348913 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4103819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, an estimated 12 million people are infected with Leishmania spp. and an additional 350 million are at risk of infection. Leishmania are intracellular parasites that cause disease by suppressing macrophage microbicidal responses. Infection can remain asymptomatic or lead to a spectrum of diseases including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. Ultimately, the combination of both pathogen and host factors determines the outcome of infection. Leishmaniasis, as well as numerous other infectious diseases, exhibits sex-related differences that cannot be explained solely in terms of environmental exposure or healthcare access. Furthermore, transcriptomic evidence is revealing that biological sex is a variable impacting physiology, immune response, drug metabolism, and consequently, the progression of disease. Herein, we review the distribution, morbidity, and mortality among male and female leishmaniasis patients. Additionally, we discuss experimental findings and new avenues of research concerning sex-specific responses in cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The limitations of current therapies and the emergence of drug-resistant parasites underscore the need for new treatments that could harness the host immune response. As such, understanding the mechanisms driving the differential immune response and disease outcome of males versus females is a necessary step in the development of safer and more effective treatments against leishmaniasis.
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Sánchez-García L, Wilkins-Rodriguez A, Salaiza-Suazo N, Morales-Montor J, Becker I. Dihydrotestosterone enhances growth and infectivity of Leishmania Mexicana. Parasite Immunol 2018; 40. [PMID: 29272044 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A strong sex-associated susceptibility towards Leishmania has been reported in males, yet little is known on the effect of hormones in Leishmania physiopathogenicity. Due to the enhanced susceptibility of males to Leishmania mexicana infections, we were interested in analysing the effect exerted by the main androgen produced in males (DHT) on L. mexicana promastigotes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the regulation exerted by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on L. mexicana replication, infectivity, survival and development of tissue lesions. Experiments included growth curves of L. mexicana promastigotes incubated with different doses of DHT, their infection rate, intracellular survival and lesion development in BALB/c mice. Our data show that DHT significantly enhances parasite replication, infection rate and survival in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMФ). Promastigotes in the presence of DHT produced significantly larger lesions in BALB/c earlobes. These results suggest that DHT probably plays a critical role during L. mexicana infections, and the higher susceptibility of males possibly relates to benefits gained by the parasite from host-derived hormones. Our data shed new light on the physiopathology of Leishmania infections and are the first attempt to understand the direct interaction between Leishmania and androgens, particularly DHT. Understanding this trans-regulation process employed by parasites to exploit host molecules sheds new light on L. mexicana physiopathogenesis and opens a possible field for studies on drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sánchez-García
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - A Wilkins-Rodriguez
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - N Salaiza-Suazo
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - J Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunologìa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - I Becker
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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Testosterone persistently dysregulates hepatic expression of Tlr6 and Tlr8 induced by Plasmodium chabaudi malaria. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:3609-20. [PMID: 25056943 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4026-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone (T) is known to induce persistent susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi malaria. Pathogens recognizing Toll-like receptors (TLRs), though potentially important against malaria, have not yet been examined for their T-sensitivity. Here, we investigate effects of T and P. chabaudi on mRNA expression and promoter DNA methylation of Tlr1-9 genes in the liver of female C57BL/6 mice. These are treated with T or vehicle for 3 weeks, and then treatment is discontinued for 12 weeks, before challenging with P. chabaudi for 8 days. Our data reveal that T induces a 9.1-fold downregulation of Tlr6 mRNA and 6.3-fold upregulation of Tlr8 mRNA. Blood-stage infections induce significant increases in mRNA expression of Tlr1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 varying between 2.5-fold and 21-fold in control mice. In T-pretreated mice, these Tlr genes are also significantly responsive to infections. However, the malaria-induced upregulations of the relative mRNA expressions of Tlr6 and Tlr8 are 5.6-fold higher and 6.5-fold lower in T-pretreated mice than in control mice. Infections induce a massive DNA down-methylation of the Tlr6 gene promoter in control mice, which is still more pronounced in T-pretreated mice, while significant changes are not detectable for the DNA methylation status of the Tlr8 promoter. Our data support the view that hepatic expression of Tlr6, but not that of Tlr8 is epigenetically controlled, and that the dysregulations of Tlr6 and Tlr8 critically contribute to T-induced persistent susceptibility to P. chabaudi malaria, possibly by dys-balancing responses of TLR6-mediated pathogen recognition and TLR8-mediated generation of anti-malaria "protective" autoimmunity.
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Lotter H, Helk E, Bernin H, Jacobs T, Prehn C, Adamski J, González-Roldán N, Holst O, Tannich E. Testosterone increases susceptibility to amebic liver abscess in mice and mediates inhibition of IFNγ secretion in natural killer T cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55694. [PMID: 23424637 PMCID: PMC3570563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebic liver abscess (ALA), a parasitic disease due to infection with the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, occurs age and gender dependent with strong preferences for adult males. Using a mouse model for ALA with a similar male bias for the disease, we have investigated the role of female and male sexual hormones and provide evidence for a strong contribution of testosterone. Removal of testosterone by orchiectomy significantly reduced sizes of abscesses in male mice, while substitution of testosterone increased development of ALA in female mice. Activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells, which are known to be important for the control of ALA, is influenced by testosterone. Specifically activated NKT cells isolated from female mice produce more IFNγ compared to NKT cells derived from male mice. This high level production of IFNγ in female derived NKT cells was inhibited by testosterone substitution, while the IFNγ production in male derived NKT cells was increased by orchiectomy. Gender dependent differences were not a result of differences in the total number of NKT cells, but a result of a higher activation potential for the CD4(-) NKT cell subpopulation in female mice. Taken together, we conclude that the hormone status of the host, in particular the testosterone level, determines susceptibility to ALA at least in a mouse model of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannelore Lotter
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
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Differential association between circulating testosterone and infection risk by several viruses in natural cat populations: a behavioural-mediated effect? Parasitology 2013; 140:521-9. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012001862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYTestosterone is involved in the development and expression of physiological, morphological and behavioural traits. High levels are often associated with high infection risk and/or intensity, suggesting a trade-off between sexual traits and immunity. Classically invoked mechanisms are immunological or behavioural, i.e., testosterone increases susceptibility or resistance to parasites via an impact on immunity or modulates behaviours involved in parasite transmission. However, studies report contrasted patterns. Given its modes of action and the diversity of host-parasite interactions, testosterone should not act similarly on all interactions. To reduce host and context diversity, we studied 3 viruses in the same cat population: the aggressively transmitted Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and the Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Herpesvirus (FHV) both transmitted during friendly contacts. Testosterone had a strong effect on the probability of being positive to FIV whereas its effect was significantly weaker on FCV and FHV. These findings demonstrate that testosterone can be differentially associated with parasites of the same type (viruses). The difference we observed was consistent with a behavioural-mediated effect (increased aggressiveness), supporting the idea that the testosterone effect on infection risk is at least partially driven by behavioural mechanisms in our system. Further investigations (e.g., individual immunity measures) are required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Al-Quraishy S, Dkhil MA, Delic D, Abdel-Baki AA, Wunderlich F. Organ-specific testosterone-insensitive response of miRNA expression of C57BL/6 mice to Plasmodium chabaudi malaria. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:1093-101. [PMID: 22562236 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence critically implicates miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diseases, but little is known in context with infectious diseases. This study investigates as to whether the testosterone-induced persistent susceptibility to blood-stage malaria of Plasmodium chabaudi coincides with changes in miRNA expression of the anti-malaria effectors sites spleen and liver. Female C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle or testosterone (T) for 3 weeks. Then, T treatment was discontinued for 12 weeks before challenge with 10(6) P. chabaudi-parasitized erythrocytes. The miRNA expression was examined after 12 weeks of T withdrawal and during infections at peak parasitemia on day 8 p.i. using miRXplore™ microarray technology. P. chabaudi infections induce an organ-specific response of miRNA expression. We can identify 25 miRNA species to be downregulated by more than 2-fold in the spleen and 169 miRNA species in the liver. Among these 194 miRNA species, there are 12 common miRNA species that are downregulated by 0.48-0.14-fold in both spleen and liver, which are miR-194, miR-192, miR-193A-3P, miR-145, miR-16, miR-99A, miR-99B, miR-15A, miR-152, let-7G, let-7B, and miR-455-3P. Only in the liver, there is an upregulation of the miR-142-5p by 2.5-fold and miR-342-3p by 5.1-fold. After 12 weeks of T withdrawal, the spleen exhibits only the miR-200A that is upregulated by 2.7-fold. In the liver, miR-376B, miR-493*, and miR-188-3P are upregulated by 2.4-fold, 2.2-fold, and 2.1-fold, respectively, and miR-347, miR-200A, and miR-200B are downregulated by approximately 0.4-fold. Upon infection, however, these changes are not sustained, i.e., the miRNA expressions of both spleen and liver of T-pretreated mice exhibit the same response to P. chabaudi malaria as that of vehicle-treated control mice. Our data suggest (1) that the P. chabaudi-induced downregulation of miRNA expression in spleen and liver is required to allow the upregulation of their numerous target genes in response to infection, and (2) that the T-induced persistent susceptibility to P. chabaudi does not affect the responsiveness of miRNA expression in spleen and liver to blood-stage malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Al-Quraishy
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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12
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Baccan GC, Oliveira F, Sousa AD, Cerqueira NA, Costa JML, Barral-Netto M, Barral A. Hormone levels are associated with clinical markers and cytokine levels in human localized cutaneous leishmaniasis. Brain Behav Immun 2011; 25:548-54. [PMID: 21182928 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2010.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a serious health problem in several parts of the world, and localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is the most frequent presentation of the tegumentary form of this disease cluster. Clinical presentations of leishmaniasis are influenced by both parasite and host factors, with emphasis on the host immune response. Alterations in plasma hormone levels have been described in many infections, and changes in hormone levels could be related to an imbalanced cytokine profile. In the present work, we evaluated a group of patients with LCL to determine changes in plasma hormone levels (cortisol, DHEA-S, estradiol, prolactin and testosterone) and their association with clinical markers of disease (lesion size, dose used to reach cure and time to cure) and with cytokines produced by PBMC stimulated by SLA (IFN-γ, IL-10 and TNF-α). Individuals with LCL exhibited lower plasma levels of DHEA-S, prolactin and testosterone compared with sex-matched controls, whereas levels of cortisol and estradiol were similar between patients and controls. Plasma levels of cortisol, estradiol or prolactin positively correlated with at least one clinical parameter. Cortisol and prolactin levels exhibited a negative correlation with levels of IFN-γ, whereas no correlation was observed with IL-10 or TNF-α levels. A decrease in DHEA-S levels was observed in male LCL patients when compared to male healthy controls. No other differences between the sexes were observed. Our results indicate a role for neuroendocrine regulation that restricts Th1 responses in human LCL. It is possible that, although impairing parasite killing, such neuroimmunomodulation may contribute to limiting tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyselle Chrystina Baccan
- Departamento de Biofunção, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
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Pinto ACH, Caetano LC, Levy AMA, Fernandes RD, Santos CD, do Prado JC. Experimental Chagas' disease in orchiectomized Calomys callosus infected with the CM strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2009; 124:147-52. [PMID: 19698712 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and progression of disorders associated with an unbalanced immune response has among many factors the gender as a contributory factor. The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of orchiectomy and the immune response during the experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Young adult, male Calomys callous were i.p. inoculated with 1 x 10(5) blood trypomastigotes of the CM strain of T. cruzi and divided in groups: Control, Sham and Castrated. Castrated group displayed significantly lower values for prostate and seminal vesicle weights indicating a drastic drop of testosterone plasmatic levels. Orchiectomized animals also displayed lesser number of blood parasites, enhanced lytic antibody percentage, splenocyte proliferation and NO concentration when compared to its sham and control counterparts, indicating that steroid gonadal ablation actually influences immune response triggering a more efficient cellular and humoral response which led animals to become more resistant against T. cruzi infection.
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Zivicnjak T, Martinković F, Marinculić A, Mrljak V, Kucer N, Matijatko V, Mihaljević Z, Barić-Rafaj R. A seroepidemiologic survey of canine visceral leishmaniosis among apparently healthy dogs in Croatia. Vet Parasitol 2005; 131:35-43. [PMID: 15946800 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2004] [Revised: 04/12/2005] [Accepted: 04/22/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cross-sectional investigation was done on seroprevalence of Leishmania sp. infection among apparently healthy dogs in an area where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. Survey included 68 dogs living in the coastal city of Split, and 238 dogs living in 12 villages scattered in the hinterland. Each dog was clinically examined for the presence of some discrete signs compatible with leishmaniosis and by dot-ELISA modification determined the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies. The titre 1:600 and higher was regarded as positive in the study. The seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 42.85%, depending on the location. 54.34% of the seropositive dogs had moderately enlarged lymph nodes and/or some discrete changes on the skin. In our parasitological study, Leishmania sp. was isolated from several seropositive animals that had some clinical signs and from a few which did not have any. Data analysis revealed that serological positivity to Leishmania sp. was not associated with a dog's outdoor lifestyle and utility, but was associated with the gender and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Zivicnjak
- Department for Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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15
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Guo D, Zhang H, Liu L, Wang L, Cheng Y, Qiao Z. Testosterone influenced the expression of Notch1, Notch2 and Jagged1 induced by lipopolysaccharide in macrophages. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 56:173-9. [PMID: 15625786 DOI: 10.1016/j.etp.2004.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone plays an extensive role in modulating macrophages functions in mammals. In this study, we incubated murine bone marrow macrophages which were positive to the surface antigen F4/80 with lipopolysaccharide and increasing amounts of testosterone. Expression of Notch family members (including Notch1, Notch2 and Jagged1) was investigated at transcription and post-transcription levels through RT-PCR and Western blotting assay followed by densitometric analyses. Results showed that testosterone influenced the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of Notch1, Notch2 and Jagged1 in macrophages. The elevated expression of Notch1 and Notch2 induced by lipopolysaccharide was repressed by testosterone at lower levels, but enhanced at higher hormone levels. In addition, the expression of Jagged1 was enhanced by various amounts of testosterone. These results suggest that testosterone affected the expression of Notch family members in activated macrophages.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Bone Marrow Cells/drug effects
- Bone Marrow Cells/pathology
- Calcium-Binding Proteins
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA Primers/chemistry
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Combinations
- Gene Expression
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Jagged-1 Protein
- Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/pathology
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, Notch1
- Receptor, Notch2
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Serrate-Jagged Proteins
- Testosterone/pharmacology
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxing Guo
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, PR China
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Muehlenbein MP, Bribiescas RG. Testosterone-mediated immune functions and male life histories. Am J Hum Biol 2005; 17:527-58. [PMID: 16136532 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in human life history theory have provided new insights into the potential selection pressures that were instrumental in the evolution of human and non-human primate males. However, gaps remain in our understanding of how primate males regulate and allocate energetic resources between survivorship and reproductive effort. Defense against parasitic infection is an important force shaping life history evolution. Proper performance of immunological responses against infection is influenced by many physiological systems, including metabolic, reproductive, and stress hormones. Because androgens influence and modulate immune, reproductive, and somatic metabolic functions, assessing changes in testosterone and immune factors during infection may yield insight into male physiological ecology. In this review, we examine male life history trade-offs between immune and reproductive endocrine functions as well as provide a comprehensive review of testosterone-immunocompetence relationships. Emphasis is placed on testosterone because it is a primary hormone shown to be crucial to energy-allocation processes in vertebrates. Non-primate species have been used more extensively in this research than humans or non-human primates, and therefore this extensive literature is organized and reviewed in order to better understand potential parallel relationships in primates, especially humans. Furthermore, we attempt to reconcile the many inconsistent results obtained from field studies on immune-endocrine interactions as well as detail various methodologies that may be used to forward this research in evolutionary anthropology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Muehlenbein
- Laboratory for Evolutionary Physiology and Parasitology, Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA.
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Morales-Montor J, Chavarria A, De León MA, Del Castillo LI, Escobedo EG, Sánchez EN, Vargas JA, Hernández-Flores M, Romo-González T, Larralde C. Host gender in parasitic infections of mammals: an evaluation of the female host supremacy paradigm. J Parasitol 2004; 90:531-46. [PMID: 15270097 DOI: 10.1645/ge-113r3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A review of current literature on mammalian hosts' sexual dimorphism (SD) in parasitic infections revealed that (1) it is a scarcely and superficially studied biological phenomenon of considerable significance for individual health, behavior, and lifestyles and for the evolution of species; (2) there are many notable exceptions to the rule of a favorable female bias in susceptibility to infection; (3) a complex network of molecular and cellular reactions connecting the host's immuno-neuroendocrine systems with those of the parasite is responsible for the host-parasite relationship rather than just an adaptive immune response and sex hormones; (4) a lack of gender-specific immune profiles in response to different infections; (5) the direct effects of the host hormones on parasite physiology may significantly contribute to SD in parasitism; and (6) the need to enrich the reductionist approach to complex biological issues, like SD, with more penetrating approaches to the study of cause-effect relationships, i.e., network theory. The review concludes by advising against generalization regarding SD and parasitism and by pointing to some of the most promising lines of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, AP 70228, El Alto, Mexico DF 04510, Mexico
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Morales J, Velasco T, Tovar V, Fragoso G, Fleury A, Beltrán C, Villalobos N, Aluja A, Rodarte LF, Sciutto E, Larralde C. Castration and pregnancy of rural pigs significantly increase the prevalence of naturally acquired Taenia solium cysticercosis. Vet Parasitol 2002; 108:41-8. [PMID: 12191898 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(02)00168-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cuentepec is a rural village of central Mexico, where 1300 pigs were bred at the time of the study in conditions that favor Taenia solium transmission. The tongues of 1087 (84%) of these pigs were visually examined and 33% were found to be cysticercotic. Castration of male pigs increased prevalence from 23 to 50% (P < 0.001) and pregnancy in sows also increased their prevalence from 28 to 59% (P < 0.001). Thus, endocrinological conditions characterized by low levels of androgens or high levels of female hormones probably influence the susceptibility of pigs to T. solium cysticercosis as observed in mice infected with Taenia crassiceps. Delaying castration of male pigs and confinement of sows during pregnancy might significantly decrease the prevalence of pig-cysticercosis and help curb transmission without much cost or difficulty.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Morales
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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