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Ye C, Zhang L, Tang L, Duan Y, Liu J, Zhou H. Host genetic backgrounds: the key to determining parasite-host adaptation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1228206. [PMID: 37637465 PMCID: PMC10449477 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1228206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases pose a significant threat to global public health, particularly in developing countries. Host genetic factors play a crucial role in determining susceptibility and resistance to infection. Recent advances in molecular and biological technologies have enabled significant breakthroughs in understanding the impact of host genes on parasite adaptation. In this comprehensive review, we analyze the host genetic factors that influence parasite adaptation, including hormones, nitric oxide, immune cells, cytokine gene polymorphisms, parasite-specific receptors, and metabolites. We also establish an interactive network to better illustrate the complex relationship between host genetic factors and parasite-host adaptation. Additionally, we discuss future directions and collaborative research priorities in the parasite-host adaptation field, including investigating the impact of host genes on the microbiome, developing more sophisticated models, identifying and characterizing parasite-specific receptors, utilizing patient-derived sera as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and developing novel treatments and management strategies targeting specific host genetic factors. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to investigating the underlying mechanisms of parasite-host adaptation, which requires interdisciplinary collaborations among biologists, geneticists, immunologists, and clinicians. By deepening our understanding of the complex interactions between host genetics and parasite adaptation, we can develop more effective and targeted interventions to prevent and treat parasitic diseases. Overall, this review provides a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in the parasitology field and offers insights into the future directions of this critical research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Ye
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Lianhua Zhang
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Surgery, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Lili Tang
- The 3rd Affiliated Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Tumor Hospital), Urumqi, China
| | - Yongjun Duan
- Department of Pediatrics, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongli Zhou
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Karunakaran I, Ritter M, Pfarr K, Klarmann-Schulz U, Debrah AY, Debrah LB, Katawa G, Wanji S, Specht S, Adjobimey T, Hübner MP, Hoerauf A. Filariasis research - from basic research to drug development and novel diagnostics, over a decade of research at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Bonn, Germany. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2023; 4:1126173. [PMID: 38655130 PMCID: PMC7615856 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1126173] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Filariae are vector borne parasitic nematodes, endemic in tropical and subtropical regions causing avoidable infections ranging from asymptomatic to stigmatizing and disfiguring disease. The filarial species that are the major focus of our institution's research are Onchocerca volvulus causing onchocerciasis (river blindness), Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. causing lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), Loa loa causing loiasis (African eye worm), and Mansonella spp causing mansonellosis. This paper aims to showcase the contribution of our institution and our collaborating partners to filarial research and covers decades of long research spanning basic research using the Litomosoides sigmodontis animal model to development of drugs and novel diagnostics. Research with the L. sigmodontis model has been extensively useful in elucidating protective immune responses against filariae as well as in identifying the mechanisms of filarial immunomodulation during metabolic, autoimmune and infectious diseases. The institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany has also been actively involved in translational research in contributing to the identification of new drug targets and pre-clinical drug research with successful and ongoing partnership with sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana (the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR)), Cameroon (University of Buea (UB)) and Togo (Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA)), Asia and industry partners. Further, in the direction of developing novel diagnostics that are sensitive, time, and labour saving, we have developed sensitive qPCRs as well as LAMP assays and are currently working on artificial intelligence based histology analysis for onchocerciasis. The article also highlights our ongoing research and the need for novel animal models and new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indulekha Karunakaran
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ute Klarmann-Schulz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Yaw Debrah
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Linda Batsa Debrah
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gnatoulma Katawa
- Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM)/Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Parasites and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tomabu Adjobimey
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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Remion E, Gal J, Chaouch S, Rodrigues J, Lhermitte-Vallarino N, Alonso J, Kohl L, Hübner MP, Fercoq F, Martin C. Unbalanced Arginine pathway and altered maturation of pleural macrophages in Th2-deficient mice during Litomosoides sigmodontis filarial infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866373. [PMID: 36353644 PMCID: PMC9637854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Filarial parasites are tissue dwelling worms transmitted by hematophagous vectors. Understanding the mechanisms regulating microfilariae (the parasite offspring) development is a prerequisite for controlling transmission in filarial infections. Th2 immune responses are key for building efficient anti-parasite responses but have been shown to also lead to detrimental tissue damage in the presence of microfilariae. Litomosoides sigmodontis, a rodent filaria residing in the pleural cavity was therefore used to characterize pleuropulmonary pathology and associated immune responses in wild-type and Th2 deficient mice. Wild-type and Th2-deficient mice (Il-4rα-/-/Il-5-/-) were infected with L. sigmodontis and parasite outcome was analyzed during the patent phase (when microfilariae are in the general circulation). Pleuropulmonary manifestations were investigated and pleural and bronchoalveolar cells were characterized by RNA analysis, imaging and/or flow cytometry focusing on macrophages. Il-4rα-/-/Il-5-/- mice were hypermicrofilaremic and showed an enhanced filarial survival but also displayed a drastic reduction of microfilaria-driven pleural cavity pathologies. In parallel, pleural macrophages from Il-4rα-/-/Il-5-/- mice lacked expression of prototypical alternative activation markers RELMα and Chil3 and showed an altered balance of some markers of the arginine metabolic pathway. In addition, monocytes-derived F4/80intermediate macrophages from infected Il-4rα-/-/Il-5-/- mice failed to mature into resident F4/80high large macrophages. Altogether these data emphasize that the presence of both microfilariae and IL-4R/IL-5 signaling are critical in the development of the pathology and in the phenotype of macrophages. In Il-4rα-/-/Il-5-/- mice, the balance is in favor of parasite development while limiting the pathology associated with the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Remion
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Joséphine Gal
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jules Rodrigues
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nathaly Lhermitte-Vallarino
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Joy Alonso
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Linda Kohl
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frédéric Fercoq
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unit Communication Molecules and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM, UMR 7245), Team Parasites and Free Protistes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP52, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Coralie Martin,
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Abo-Aziza FAM, Hendawy SHM, Abdullah HHAM, El Namaky A, Laidoudi Y, Mediannikov O. Emergent and Neglected Equine Filariosis in Egypt: Species Diversity and Host Immune Response. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11090979. [PMID: 36145411 PMCID: PMC9501446 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11090979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine filariosis (EF) is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by nematode species belonging to the Onchocercidae and Setariidae families. Aside from their zoonotic potential, some species are responsible for serious health problems in equids worldwide, leading to significant economic difficulties. Here, we molecularly investigated equine blood samples (320 horses and 109 donkeys from Egypt) and four adult worms isolated from the peritoneal cavity of 5 out of the 94 slaughtered donkeys. In addition, quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) targeting circulating cytokines were used to identify whether the immunological profile of the infected animals is a Th1 (i.e., INF-gamma as indicator) or Th2 (i.e., IL-5 and IL-10 as indicators) response type. Overall, 13.8% and 0.3% of the donkeys and horses, respectively, were scored as positive for filaroid DNA. The 18S phylogeny revealed the occurrence of three different filaroid species, identified here as Mansonella (Tetrapetalonema) sp., Setaria digitata and Dirofilaria repens. Th1 (INF-gamma and IL-5) and Th2 (IL-10) immune response types were identified in equines infected with S. digitata and Mansonella (T.) sp., respectively. These results provide new data on the species diversity of EF in Egypt and extend knowledge of the downregulation of the protective immune response by the potentially zoonotic Mansonella (T) sp. There is an urgent need to implement control measures to preserve equine health and limit the propagation of these vector-borne filaroids in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten A. M. Abo-Aziza
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Seham H. M. Hendawy
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Unit, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Hend H. A. M. Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Amira El Namaky
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Younes Laidoudi
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute, University of Constantine 1, El-Khroub 25100, Algeria
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-04-1373-24-01
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5
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Ajendra J, Allen JE. Neutrophils: Friend or Foe in Filariasis? Parasite Immunol 2022; 44:e12918. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesuthas Ajendra
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology University Hospital of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Judith E. Allen
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Wellcome Centre for Cell‐Matrix Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Center University of Manchester Manchester UK
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Tamadaho RSE, Ritter M, Wiszniewsky A, Arndts K, Mack M, Hoerauf A, Layland LE. Infection-Derived Monocytic MDSCs Require TGF-β to Suppress Filarial-Specific IFN-γ But Not IL-13 Release by Filarial-Specific CD4+ T Cells In Vitro. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.707100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major health problem with severe economic repercussions in endemic communities of Sub-saharan Africa, South-East Asia and South America. The rodent-specific nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis (Ls) is used to study the immunomodulatory potential of filariae and research has elucidated pathways involving regulatory T cells (Tregs), IL-10 producing cells and alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) and that CD4+ T cells play a paramount role during infection. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been identified and characterised in man in cancer and other pathologies. The hallmark of MDSC populations is the suppression of T and B cell responses using various mechanisms, which are mostly specific to the pathology or setting. However, until now, it remains unclear whether they play a role in filarial-specific responses. We report here that monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSCs, CD11b+Ly6C+Ly6G-) and polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs, CD11b+Ly6Cint/loLy6G+) expanded in the thoracic cavity (TC, the site of infection) and correlated positively with filarial life-stages in Ls-infected BALB/c mice. In vitro, only infection-derived Mo-MDSCs showed a suppressive nature by preventing IL-13 and IFN-γ secretion from filarial-specific CD4+ T cells upon co-culture with soluble worm extract. This suppression was not mediated by IL-10, IL-6 or TNF-α, and did not require cell-contact, nitric oxide (NO), IL-4/IL-5 signalling pathways or CCR2. Interestingly, neutralizing TGF-β significantly rescued IFN-γ but not IL-13 production by filarial-specific CD4+ T cells. In comparison to naive cells, PCR array data showed an overall down-regulation of inflammatory pathways in both infection-derived Mo-MDSCs and PMN-MDSCs. In conclusion, these primary data sets show activity and expansion of MDSCs during Ls infection adding this regulatory cell type to the complex milieu of host responses during chronic helminth infections.
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Ajendra J. Lessons in type 2 immunity: Neutrophils in Helminth infections. Semin Immunol 2021; 53:101531. [PMID: 34836773 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2021.101531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils constitute the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens. Equipped with a large array of tools, these immune cells are highly efficient in eliminating bacterial and viral infections, yet their activity can at the same time be detrimental to the host itself - this is the broad consensus on these granulocytes. However, the last decade has proven that neutrophils are a much more sophisticated cell type with unexpected and underappreciated functions in health and disease. In this review, we look at the latest discoveries in neutrophil biology with a focus on their role during the hallmark setting of type 2 immunity - helminth infection. We discuss the involvement of neutrophils in various helminth infection models and summarize the latest findings regarding neutrophil regulation and effector function. We will show that neutrophils have much more to offer than previously thought and while studies of neutrophils in helminth infections are still in its infancy, recent discoveries highlight more than ever that these cells are a key cog of the immune system, even during type 2 responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesuthas Ajendra
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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Ehrens A, Lenz B, Neumann AL, Giarrizzo S, Reichwald JJ, Frohberger SJ, Stamminger W, Buerfent BC, Fercoq F, Martin C, Kulke D, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Microfilariae Trigger Eosinophil Extracellular DNA Traps in a Dectin-1-Dependent Manner. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108621. [PMID: 33440150 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils mediate protection against filarial nematodes. Our results demonstrate that eosinophil extracellular traps (EETosis) are induced by microfilariae and infective L3 larvae of Litomosoides sigmodontis. These extracellular DNA traps inhibit microfilariae motility in a DNA- and contact-dependent manner in vitro. Accordingly, microfilariae-injection triggers DNA release in an eosinophil-dependent manner in vivo and microfilariae covered with DNA traps are cleared more rapidly. Using dectin-1, we identify the required receptor for the microfilariae-induced EETosis, whereas signaling via other C-type lectin receptors, prior priming of eosinophils, and presence of antibodies are not required. The DNA released upon microfilariae-induced EETosis is mainly of mitochondrial origin, but acetylated and citrullinated histones are found within the traps. We further demonstrate that the presented DNA-dependent inhibition of microfilariae motility by eosinophils represents a conserved mechanism, as microfilariae from L. sigmodontis and the canine heartworm Dirofilaria immitis induce ETosis in murine and human eosinophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lenz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Neumann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Samuela Giarrizzo
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Julia Jennifer Reichwald
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Stefan Julian Frohberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stamminger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Benedikt Christian Buerfent
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Frédéric Fercoq
- UMR7245 MCAM Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Coralie Martin
- UMR7245 MCAM Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Kulke
- Elanco Animal Health - Research and Exploratory Development, Monheim 40789, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Peter Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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Finlay CM, Allen JE. The immune response of inbred laboratory mice to Litomosoides sigmodontis: A route to discovery in myeloid cell biology. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12708. [PMID: 32145033 PMCID: PMC7317388 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Litomosoides sigmodontis is the only filarial nematode where the full life cycle, from larval delivery to the skin through to circulating microfilaria, can be completed in immunocompetent laboratory mice. It is thus an invaluable tool for the study of filariasis. It has been used for the study of novel anti‐helminthic therapeutics, the development of vaccines against filariasis, the development of immunomodulatory drugs for the treatment of inflammatory disease and the study of basic immune responses to filarial nematodes. This review will focus on the latter and aims to summarize how the L sigmodontis model has advanced our basic understanding of immune responses to helminths, led to major discoveries in macrophage biology and provided new insights into the immunological functions of the pleural cavity. Finally, and most importantly L sigmodontis represents a suitable platform to study how host genotype affects immune responses, with the potential for further discovery in myeloid cell biology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor M Finlay
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Judith E Allen
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Frohberger SJ, Fercoq F, Neumann AL, Surendar J, Stamminger W, Ehrens A, Karunakaran I, Remion E, Vogl T, Hoerauf A, Martin C, Hübner MP. S100A8/S100A9 deficiency increases neutrophil activation and protective immune responses against invading infective L3 larvae of the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008119. [PMID: 32107497 PMCID: PMC7064255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are essentially involved in protective immune responses against invading infective larvae of filarial nematodes. The present study investigated the impact of S100A8/S100A9 on protective immune responses against the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis. S100A9 forms with S100A8 the heterodimer calprotectin, which is expressed by circulating neutrophils and monocytes and mitigates or amplifies tissue damage as well as inflammation depending on the immune environment. Mice deficient for S100A8/A9 had a significantly reduced worm burden in comparison to wildtype (WT) animals 12 days after infection (dpi) with infective L3 larvae, either by the vector or subcutaneous inoculation, the latter suggesting that circumventing natural immune responses within the epidermis and dermis do not alter the phenotype. Nevertheless, upon intradermal injection of L3 larvae, increased total numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages were observed within the skin of S100A8/A9-/- mice. Furthermore, upon infection the bronchoalveolar and thoracic cavity lavage of S100A8/A9-/- mice showed increased concentrations of CXCL-1, CXCL-2, CXCL-5, as well as elastase in comparison to the WT controls. Neutrophils from S100A8/A9-/- mice exhibited an increased in vitro activation and reduced L3 larval motility more effectively in vitro compared to WT neutrophils. The depletion of neutrophils from S100A8/A9-/- mice prior to L. sigmodontis infection until 5dpi abrogated the protective effect and led to an increased worm burden, indicating that neutrophils mediate enhanced protective immune responses against invading L3 larvae in S100A8/A9-/- mice. Interestingly, complete circumvention of protective immune responses in the skin and the lymphatics by intravenous injection of L3 larvae reversed the phenotype and resulted in an increased worm burden in S100A8/A9-/- mice. In summary, our results reveal that lack of S100A8/S100A9 triggers L3-induced inflammatory responses, increasing chemokine levels, granulocyte recruitment as well as neutrophil activation and therefore impairs larval migration and susceptibility for filarial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan J. Frohberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frederic Fercoq
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS; Paris, France
| | - Anna-Lena Neumann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jayagopi Surendar
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stamminger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Indulekha Karunakaran
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Estelle Remion
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS; Paris, France
| | - Thomas Vogl
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS; Paris, France
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Frohberger SJ, Ajendra J, Surendar J, Stamminger W, Ehrens A, Buerfent BC, Gentil K, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Susceptibility to L. sigmodontis infection is highest in animals lacking IL-4R/IL-5 compared to single knockouts of IL-4R, IL-5 or eosinophils. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:248. [PMID: 31109364 PMCID: PMC6528299 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3502-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mice are susceptible to infections with the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis and develop immune responses that resemble those of human filarial infections. Thus, the L. sigmodontis model is used to study filarial immunomodulation, protective immune responses against filariae and to screen drug candidates for human filarial diseases. While previous studies showed that type 2 immune responses are protective against L. sigmodontis, the present study directly compared the impact of eosinophils, IL-5, and the IL-4R on the outcome of L. sigmodontis infection. Methods Susceptible wildtype (WT) BALB/c mice, BALB/c mice lacking eosinophils (dblGATA mice), IL-5−/− mice, IL-4R−/− mice and IL-4R−/−/IL-5−/− mice were infected with L. sigmodontis. Analyses were performed during the peak of microfilaremia in WT animals (71 dpi) as well as after IL-4R−/−/IL-5−/− mice showed a decline in microfilaremia (119 dpi) and included adult worm counts, peripheral blood microfilariae levels, cytokine production from thoracic cavity lavage, the site of adult worm residence, and quantification of major immune cell types within the thoracic cavity and spleen. Results Our study reveals that thoracic cavity eosinophil numbers correlated negatively with the adult worm burden, whereas correlations of alternatively activated macrophage (AAM) numbers with the adult worm burden (positive correlation) were likely attributed to the accompanied changes in eosinophil numbers. IL-4R−/−/IL-5−/− mice exhibited an enhanced embryogenesis achieving the highest microfilaremia with all animals becoming microfilariae positive and had an increased adult worm burden combined with a prolonged adult worm survival. Conclusions These data indicate that mice deficient for IL-4R−/−/IL-5−/− have the highest susceptibility for L. sigmodontis infection, which resulted in an earlier onset of microfilaremia, development of microfilaremia in all animals with highest microfilariae loads, and an extended adult worm survival. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3502-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan J Frohberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jesuthas Ajendra
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jayagopi Surendar
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stamminger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benedikt C Buerfent
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Gentil
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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12
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Muhsin M, Ajendra J, Gentil K, Berbudi A, Neumann AL, Klaas L, Schmidt KE, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. IL-6 is required for protective immune responses against early filarial infection. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:925-935. [PMID: 30176234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
IL-6 has a wide range of biological activities that includes anti- and pro-inflammatory aspects. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-6 in immune responses to the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis, a model for human filarial infections. IL-6-/- mice had a significantly increased worm burden after natural infection compared with wild type controls at early time points p.i. Given that the worm burden in IL-6-/- mice was already increased at the time point the infective larvae reached the pleural cavity, immune responses that may facilitate the migration from the site of infection (skin) via the lymphatics to the pleural cavity were analysed. Increased vascular permeability may facilitate larval migration, but blocking of histamine receptors had no effect on worm burden and vascular permeability was similar between IL-6-/- mice and wild type controls. In contrast, blocking mast cell degranulation reduced the worm burden in IL-6-/- mice partially, suggesting that release of mast cell-derived mediators improves larval migration to some degree. Protective immune responses within the skin were involved, as bypassing the skin barrier by inoculating infective L3s subcutaneously resulted in a comparable worm recovery in both mouse strains. Analysis of the cellular composition by flow cytometry and PCR array in the skin after exposure to filarial extract or L3s, respectively, indicate that the absence of IL-6 results in a delayed recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages to the site of initial infection. These results demonstrate that IL-6 is essentially involved in protective immune responses within the skin that impair migration of infective L3s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhsin Muhsin
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Parasitology Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Jesuthas Ajendra
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Gentil
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Afiat Berbudi
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Parasitology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Anna-Lena Neumann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lil Klaas
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kim E Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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13
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Steisslinger V, Korten S, Brattig NW, Erttmann KD. DNA vaccine encoding the moonlighting protein Onchocerca volvulus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Ov-GAPDH) leads to partial protection in a mouse model of human filariasis. Vaccine 2015; 33:5861-5867. [PMID: 26320419 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
River blindness, caused by the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus, is a major socio-economic and public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In January 2015, The Onchocerciasis Vaccine for Africa (TOVA) Initiative has been launched with the aim of providing new tools to complement mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin, thereby promoting elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa. In this context we here present Onchocerca volvulus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Ov-GAPDH) as a possible DNA vaccine candidate. We report that in a laboratory model for filariasis, immunization with Ov-GAPDH led to a significant reduction of adult worm load and microfilaraemia in BALB/c mice after challenge infection with the filarial parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis. Mice were either vaccinated with Ov-GAPDH.DNA plasmid (Ov-pGAPDH.DNA) alone or in combination with recombinantly expressed Ov-GAPDH protein (Ov-rGAPDH). During the following challenge infection of immunized and control mice with L. sigmodontis, those formulations which included the DNA plasmid, led to a significant reduction of adult worm loads (up to 57% median reduction) and microfilaraemia (up to 94% reduction) in immunized animals. In a further experiment, immunization with a mixture of four overlapping, synthetic Ov-GAPDH peptides (Ov-GAPDHpept), with alum as adjuvant, did not significantly reduce worm loads. Our results indicate that DNA vaccination with Ov-GAPDH has protective potential against filarial challenge infection in the mouse model. This suggests a transfer of the approach into the cattle Onchocerca ochengi model, where it is possible to investigate the effects of this vaccination in the context of a natural host-parasite relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Steisslinger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Korten
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany; Department of Infection Medicine, Laboratory Lademannbogen Medical Service Center GmbH (Sonic Healthcare Group), Lademannbogen 61-63, D-22339 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert W Brattig
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus D Erttmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
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14
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Layland LE, Ajendra J, Ritter M, Wiszniewsky A, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Development of patent Litomosoides sigmodontis infections in semi-susceptible C57BL/6 mice in the absence of adaptive immune responses. Parasit Vectors 2015. [PMID: 26209319 PMCID: PMC4514938 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most advantageous research aspects of the murine model of filariasis, Litomosoides sigmodontis, is the availability of mouse strains with varying susceptibility to the nematode infection. In C57BL/6 mice, L. sigmodontis worms are largely eliminated in this strain by day 40 post-infection and never produce their offspring, microfilariae (Mf). This provides a unique opportunity to decipher potential immune pathways that are required by filariae to achieve a successful infection. In this study we tracked worm development and patency, the production of microfilariae and thus the transmission life-stage, in Rag2IL-2Rγ−/− mice which are deficient in T, B and NK cell populations. Findings Although worm burden was comparable between wildtype (WT) and Rag2IL-2Rγ−/− mice on d30, by day 72 post-infection, parasites in Rag2IL-2Rγ−/− mice were still in abundance, freely motile and all mice presented high quantities of Mf both at the site of infection, the thoracic cavity (TC), and in peripheral blood. Levels of cytokine (IL-4, IL-6, TNFα) and chemokine (MIP-2, RANTES, Eotaxin) parameters were generally low in the TC of infected Rag2IL-2Rγ−/−mice at both time-points. The frequency of neutrophils however was higher in Rag2IL-2Rγ−/−mice whereas eosinophils and macrophage populations, including alternatively activated macrophages, were elevated in WT controls. Conclusion Our data highlight that adaptive immune responses prevent the development of patent L. sigmodontis infections in semi-susceptible C57BL/6 mice and suggest that induction of such responses may offer a strategy to prevent transmission of human filariasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1011-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Layland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
| | - Jesuthas Ajendra
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
| | - Anna Wiszniewsky
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Straße 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany.
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15
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Rückerl D, Allen JE. Macrophage proliferation, provenance, and plasticity in macroparasite infection. Immunol Rev 2015; 262:113-33. [PMID: 25319331 PMCID: PMC4324133 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages have long been center stage in the host response to microbial infection, but only in the past 10–15 years has there been a growing appreciation for their role in helminth infection and the associated type 2 response. Through the actions of the IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα), type 2 cytokines result in the accumulation of macrophages with a distinctive activation phenotype. Although our knowledge of IL-4Rα-induced genes is growing rapidly, the specific functions of these macrophages have yet to be established in most disease settings. Understanding the interplay between IL-4Rα-activated macrophages and the other cellular players is confounded by the enormous transcriptional heterogeneity within the macrophage population and by their highly plastic nature. Another level of complexity is added by the new knowledge that tissue macrophages can be derived either from a resident prenatal population or from blood monocyte recruitment and that IL-4 can increase macrophage numbers through proliferative expansion. Here, we review current knowledge on the contribution of macrophages to helminth killing and wound repair, with specific attention paid to distinct cellular origins and plasticity potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Rückerl
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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16
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Satyavathi VV, Minz A, Nagaraju J. Nodulation: An unexplored cellular defense mechanism in insects. Cell Signal 2014; 26:1753-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Ajendra J, Specht S, Neumann AL, Gondorf F, Schmidt D, Gentil K, Hoffmann WH, Taylor MJ, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. ST2 deficiency does not impair type 2 immune responses during chronic filarial infection but leads to an increased microfilaremia due to an impaired splenic microfilarial clearance. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93072. [PMID: 24663956 PMCID: PMC3963995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interactions of the Th2 cytokine IL-33 with its receptor ST2 lead to amplified Type 2 immune responses. As Type 2 immune responses are known to mediate protection against helminth infections we hypothesized that the lack of ST2 would lead to an increased susceptibility to filarial infections. Methodology/Principal Finding ST2 deficient and immunocompetent BALB/c mice were infected with the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis. At different time points after infection mice were analyzed for worm burden and their immune responses were examined within the thoracic cavity, the site of infection, and systemically using spleen cells and plasma. Absence of ST2 led to significantly increased levels of peripheral blood microfilariae, the filarial progeny, whereas L. sigmodontis adult worm burden was not affected. Development of local and systemic Type 2 immune responses were not impaired in ST2 deficient mice after the onset of microfilaremia, but L. sigmodontis infected ST2-ko mice had significantly reduced total numbers of cells within the thoracic cavity and spleen compared to infected immunocompetent controls. Pronounced microfilaremia in ST2-ko mice did not result from an increased microfilariae release by adult female worms, but an impaired splenic clearance of microfilariae. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that the absence of ST2 does not impair the establishment of adult L. sigmodontis worms, but is important for the splenic clearance of microfilariae from peripheral blood. Thus, ST2 interactions may be important for therapies that intend to block the transmission of filarial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesuthas Ajendra
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine Specht
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Neumann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian Gondorf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Gentil
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Mark J. Taylor
- Filariasis Research Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
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18
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Morris CP, Evans H, Larsen SE, Mitre E. A comprehensive, model-based review of vaccine and repeat infection trials for filariasis. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26:381-421. [PMID: 23824365 PMCID: PMC3719488 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00002-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Filarial worms cause highly morbid diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness. Since the 1940s, researchers have conducted vaccine trials in 27 different animal models of filariasis. Although no vaccine trial in a permissive model of filariasis has provided sterilizing immunity, great strides have been made toward developing vaccines that could block transmission, decrease pathological sequelae, or decrease susceptibility to infection. In this review, we have organized, to the best of our ability, all published filaria vaccine trials and reviewed them in the context of the animal models used. Additionally, we provide information on the life cycle, disease phenotype, concomitant immunity, and natural immunity during primary and secondary infections for 24 different filaria models.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Paul Morris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Holly Evans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sasha E. Larsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward Mitre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Basophils help establish protective immunity induced by irradiated larval vaccination for filariasis. Vaccine 2013; 31:3675-82. [PMID: 23777951 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Basophils are increasingly recognized as playing important roles in the immune response toward helminths. In this study, we evaluated the role of basophils in vaccine-mediated protection against filariae, tissue-invasive parasitic nematodes responsible for diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness. Protective immunity and immunological responses were assessed in BALB/c mice vaccinated with irradiated L3 stage larvae and depleted of basophils with weekly injections of anti-CD200R3 antibody. Depletion of basophils after administration of the vaccination regimen but before challenge infection did not alter protective immunity. In contrast, basophil depletion initiated prior to vaccination and continued after challenge infection significantly attenuated the protective effect conferred by vaccination. Vaccine-induced cellular immune responses to parasite antigen were substantially decreased in basophil-depleted mice, with significant decreases in CD4(+) T-cell production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ. Interestingly, skin mast cell numbers, which increased significantly after vaccination with irradiated L3 larvae, were unchanged after vaccination in basophil-depleted mice. These findings demonstrate that basophils help establish the immune responses responsible for irradiated L3 vaccine protection.
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20
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Haben I, Hartmann W, Specht S, Hoerauf A, Roers A, Müller W, Breloer M. T-cell-derived, but not B-cell-derived, IL-10 suppresses antigen-specific T-cell responses in Litomosoides sigmodontis-infected mice. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:1799-805. [PMID: 23529858 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201242929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
IL-10, a cytokine with pleiotropic functions is produced by many different cells. Although IL-10 may be crucial for initiating protective Th2 responses to helminth infection, it may also function as a suppressive cytokine preventing immune pathology or even contributing to helminth-induced immune evasion. Here, we show that B cells and T cells produce IL-10 during murine Litomosoides sigmodontis infection. IL-10-deficient mice produced increased amounts of L. sigmodontis-specific IFN-γ and IL-13 suggesting a suppressive role for IL-10 in the initiation of the T-cell response to infection. Using cell type-specific IL-10-deficient mice, we dissected different functions of T-cell- and B-cell-derived IL-10. Litomosoides sigmodontis-specific IFN-γ, IL-5, and IL-13 production increased in the absence of T-cell-derived IL-10 at early and late time points of infection. In contrast, B-cell-specific IL-10 deficiency did not lead to significant changes in L. sigmodontis-specific cytokine production compared to WT mice. Our results suggest that the initiation of Ag-specific cellular responses during L. sigmodontis infection is suppressed by T-cell-derived IL-10 and not by B-cell-derived IL-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Haben
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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21
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Makepeace BL, Martin C, Turner JD, Specht S. Granulocytes in helminth infection -- who is calling the shots? Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:1567-86. [PMID: 22360486 PMCID: PMC3394172 DOI: 10.2174/092986712799828337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Revised: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Helminths are parasitic organisms that can be broadly described as “worms” due to their elongated body plan, but which otherwise differ in shape, development, migratory routes and the predilection site of the adults and larvae. They are divided into three major groups: trematodes (flukes), which are leaf-shaped, hermaphroditic (except for blood flukes) flatworms with oral and ventral suckers; cestodes (tapeworms), which are segmented, hermaphroditic flatworms that inhabit the intestinal lumen; and nematodes (roundworms), which are dioecious, cylindrical parasites that inhabit intestinal and peripheral tissue sites. Helminths exhibit a sublime co-evolution with the host´s immune system that has enabled them to successfully colonize almost all multicellular species present in every geographical environment, including over two billion humans. In the face of this challenge, the host immune system has evolved to strike a delicate balance between attempts to neutralize the infectious assault versus limitation of damage to host tissues. Among the most important cell types during helminthic invasion are granulocytes: eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils. Depending on the specific context, these leukocytes may have pivotal roles in host protection, immunopathology, or facilitation of helminth establishment. This review provides an overview of the function of granulocytes in helminthic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Makepeace
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZJ, UK
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Ziewer S, Hübner MP, Dubben B, Hoffmann WH, Bain O, Martin C, Hoerauf A, Specht S. Immunization with L. sigmodontis microfilariae reduces peripheral microfilaraemia after challenge infection by inhibition of filarial embryogenesis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1558. [PMID: 22413031 PMCID: PMC3295809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two chronic diseases mediated by parasitic filarial worms causing long term disability and massive socioeconomic problems. Filariae are transmitted by blood-feeding mosquitoes that take up the first stage larvae from an infected host and deliver it after maturation into infective stage to a new host. After closure of vector control programs, disease control relies mainly on mass drug administration with drugs that are primarily effective against first stage larvae and require many years of annual/biannual administration. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment ways, i.e. other effective drugs or vaccines. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using the Litomosoides sigmodontis murine model of filariasis we demonstrate that immunization with microfilariae together with the adjuvant alum prevents mice from developing high microfilaraemia after challenge infection. Immunization achieved 70% to 100% protection in the peripheral blood and in the pleural space and furthermore strongly reduced the microfilarial load in mice that remained microfilaraemic. Protection was associated with the impairment of intrauterine filarial embryogenesis and with local and systemic microfilarial-specific host IgG, as well as IFN-γ secretion by host cells from the site of infection. Furthermore immunization significantly reduced adult worm burden. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results present a tool to understand the immunological basis of vaccine induced protection in order to develop a microfilariae-based vaccine that reduces adult worm burden and prevents microfilaraemia, a powerful weapon to stop transmission of filariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Ziewer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bettina Dubben
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H. Hoffmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Odile Bain
- UMR 7245 MCAM MNHN CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Coralie Martin
- UMR 7245 MCAM MNHN CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine Specht
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Luo HL, Wang DY, Wang HJ, Nie K, Huang WY. WITHDRAWN: MyD88 is required for the recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils but dispensable for host protective immune responses during Fasciola hepatica infection. Immunobiology 2011:S0171-2985(11)00265-8. [PMID: 22226670 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2011] [Revised: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Luo
- Lab of Infection & Immunology Research, College of Animal Science & Technology, Southwest University,Chongqing,China
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24
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Over expression of IL-10 by macrophages overcomes resistance to murine filariasis. Exp Parasitol 2011; 132:90-6. [PMID: 21959021 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 09/11/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Individuals infected with parasitic helminths are able to tolerate the presence of parasites for considerable time without clinical pathology. Immunosuppressive responses induced by the filarial parasite are considered responsible for this long-lasting relationship, inuring to the benefit of both parasite and host. In order to directly link IL-10 with parasite survival, we infected mice, in which over expression of IL-10 was restricted to macrophages under control of the CD68 promoter (macIL-10tg), with Litomosoides sigmodontis. IL-10 overexpression by macrophages led to increased susceptibility with a significantly higher number of adult worms. Most profound, IL-10 overexpression was sufficient to convert resistant FVB wild-type mice towards a patent phenotype, since microfilariae were exclusively found in macIL-10tg mice. These findings were associated with reduced Th2 cytokine production in macIL-10tg mice. Expression of arginase-1, Ym1 and Fizz1, genes that are found strongly expressed in murine alternatively activated macrophages, were detected in macIL-10tg mice. Thus, IL-10 produced by macrophages with characteristics of alternative activation can overcome resistance and allow full patency in murine filariasis.
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25
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Simons JE, Gray CA, Lawrence RA. Absence of regulatory IL-10 enhances innate protection against filarial parasites by a neutrophil-independent mechanism. Parasite Immunol 2010; 32:473-8. [PMID: 20591117 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2010.01210.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brugia malayi causes the major tropical disease, lymphatic filariasis. Chronicity of disease is associated with generation of regulatory cells secreting IL-10 and/or TGF-beta. Previous work has shown that the rate of microfilariae (Mf) clearance from the blood is mouse strain-dependent. Here, we show that IL-10 plays an important role in preventing the clearance of Mf. Indeed, anti-IL-10 antibody treatment increases the rate of Mf clearance from the bloodstream in both rapid-Mf-clearing CBA/Ca and slow-clearing C57Bl/6 mice. In addition, IL-10(-/-) mice implanted intraperitoneally with Mf-producing adult nematodes have significantly lower Mf, but not adults, in comparison with wild-type mice at 3 weeks post-implantation (p.i.). Clearance of Mf from the peritoneal cavity of IL-10(-/-) mice is associated with a dramatic infiltration of neutrophils. Furthermore, rapid-Mf-clearing CBA/Ca mice have a dramatic blood neutrophilia at 24 h p.i., whereas slow-clearing C57Bl/6 mice show no such neutrophilia. Thus, neutrophils may play a role as effector cells in microfilarial infection. We therefore treated mice with anti-granulocyte antibody to abolish neutrophil recruitment during Mf infection i.v. Although anti-granulocyte treatment severely depleted neutrophils, it did not significantly reduce the rate of B. malayi Mf clearance either during primary infection or during a challenge following antigen sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Simons
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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26
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Cadman ET, Lawrence RA. Granulocytes: effector cells or immunomodulators in the immune response to helminth infection? Parasite Immunol 2010; 32:1-19. [PMID: 20042003 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01147.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Granulocytes are effector cells in defence against helminth infections. We review the current evidence for the role of granulocytes in protective immunity against different helminth infections and note that for each parasite species the role of granulocytes as effector cells can vary. Emerging evidence also points to granulocytes as immunomodulatory cells able to produce many cytokines, chemokines and modulatory factors which can bias the immune response in a particular direction. Thus, the role of granulocytes in an immunomodulatory context is discussed including the most recent data that points to an important role for basophils under this guise.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Cadman
- Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
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27
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AdultBrugia malayimitochondrial and nuclear fractions impart Th1-associated sizeable protection against infective larval challenges inMastomys coucha. J Helminthol 2009; 83:83-95. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x08133582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractProtective immunity to the subperiodic human filariid,Brugia malayi, was explored in the rodent host,Mastomys couchaafter vaccination with subcellular fractions derived from the adult stage of the parasite. The highest level of protection was conferred in animals vaccinated with the ‘mitochondria rich’ (MT) fraction, in which microfilaraemia and worm burden were markedly reduced by 67.2 and 65.9%, respectively, followed by the ‘nucleus rich’ (NR) fraction, showing reductions of 62 and 52.3%, respectively, over the non-immunized control group. Mastomys vaccinated with MT and NR, displayed a significant increase in the level of antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). The levels of IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM antibody isotypes were remarkably elevated in both the MT and NR immunized groups, while IgG1 and IgG3 levels were low. Apart from antibodies, both these fractions also led to marked antigen-specific lymphoproliferationin vitro, along with enhanced release of nitric oxide by peritoneal macrophages. There was an increased population of CD4+ and CD8a+T-cells in MT immunized animals, as measured by flow cytometry, accompanied by elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines; interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the culture supernatants of the activated splenocytes. The results suggest that both NR and MT contain proinflammatory molecules which evoke a protective Th1 type of immune response.
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28
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Patel N, Kreider T, Urban JF, Gause WC. Characterisation of effector mechanisms at the host:parasite interface during the immune response to tissue-dwelling intestinal nematode parasites. Int J Parasitol 2008; 39:13-21. [PMID: 18804113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2008] [Revised: 08/06/2008] [Accepted: 08/08/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The protective immune response that develops following infection with many tissue-dwelling intestinal nematode parasites is characterised by elevations in IL-4 and IL-13 and increased numbers of CD4+ T cells, granulocytes and macrophages. These cells accumulate at the site of infection and in many cases can mediate resistance to these large multicellular pathogens. Recent studies suggest novel potential mechanisms mediated by these immune cell populations through their differential activation and ability to stimulate production of novel effector molecules. These newly discovered protective mechanisms may provide novel strategies to develop immunotherapies and vaccines against this group of pathogens. In this review, we will examine recent studies elucidating mechanisms of host protection against three widely-used experimental murine models of tissue-dwelling intestinal nematode parasites: Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Trichuris muris and Trichinella spiralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirav Patel
- Department of Medicine, UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School, MSB F639, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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29
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Allen JE, Adjei O, Bain O, Hoerauf A, Hoffmann WH, Makepeace BL, Schulz-Key H, Tanya VN, Trees AJ, Wanji S, Taylor DW. Of mice, cattle, and humans: the immunology and treatment of river blindness. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e217. [PMID: 18446236 PMCID: PMC2323618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
River blindness is a seriously debilitating disease caused by the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus, which infects millions in Africa as well as in South and Central America. Research has been hampered by a lack of good animal models, as the parasite can only develop fully in humans and some primates. This review highlights the development of two animal model systems that have allowed significant advances in recent years and hold promise for the future. Experimental findings with Litomosoides sigmodontis in mice and Onchocerca ochengi in cattle are placed in the context of how these models can advance our ability to control the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E. Allen
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ohene Adjei
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Odile Bain
- Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Benjamin L. Makepeace
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vincent N. Tanya
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Alexander J. Trees
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, Buea, Cameroon
| | - David W. Taylor
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Royal (Dick) School for Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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30
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Daehnel K, Gillette-Ferguson I, Hise AG, Diaconu E, Harling MJ, Heinzel FP, Pearlman E. Filaria/Wolbachia activation of dendritic cells and development of Th1-associated responses is dependent on Toll-like receptor 2 in a mouse model of ocular onchocerciasis (river blindness). Parasite Immunol 2007; 29:455-65. [PMID: 17727569 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.00962.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) regulate dendritic cell function and activate signals that mediate the nature of the adaptive immune response. The current study examined the role of TLRs in dendritic cell activation and in regulating T cell and antibody responses to antigens from the filarial parasites Onchocerca volvulus and Brugia malayi, which cause river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, respectively. Bone-marrow-derived CD11c(+) cells from C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice produced high levels of IL-6 and RANTES, and showed elevated surface CD40 expression, whereas CD11c(+) cells from myeloid differentiation factor 88(-/-) (MyD88(-/-)), TLR2(-/-) and TLR2/4(-/-) mice were not activated. Similarly, IFN-gamma production by splenocytes from immunized TLR2(-/-) mice was significantly impaired compared with splenocytes from C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice. In contrast, there was no difference among these strains in Th2-associated responses including IL-5 production by splenocytes from immunized animals, serum IgE and IgG(1), or eosinophil infiltration into the corneal stroma. Neutrophil recruitment to the cornea and CXC chemokine production was inhibited in immunized TLR2(-/-) mice compared with C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate an essential role for TLR2 in filaria-induced dendritic cell activation, IFN-gamma production and neutrophil migration to the cornea, but does not affect filaria-induced Th2-associated responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Daehnel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7286, USA
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31
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Teske S, Bohn AA, Hogaboam JP, Lawrence BP. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor targets pathways extrinsic to bone marrow cells to enhance neutrophil recruitment during influenza virus infection. Toxicol Sci 2007; 102:89-99. [PMID: 18007012 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfm282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that neutrophils influence host resistance during influenza virus infection; however, factors that regulate neutrophil migration to the lung during viral infection are unclear. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by the pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin) results in an increased number of neutrophils in the lung after influenza virus infection. The mechanism of AhR-mediated neutrophilia does not involve elevated levels of soluble neutrophil chemoattractants, upregulated adhesion molecules on pulmonary neutrophils, delayed neutrophil apoptosis, or increased vascular damage. In this study, we determined whether AhR activation increases neutrophil numbers systemically or only in the infected lung, and whether AhR-regulated events within the hematopoietic system underlie the dioxin-induced increase in pulmonary neutrophils observed during influenza virus infection. We report here that AhR activation does not increase neutrophil numbers systemically or increase neutrophil production in hematopoietic tissue, suggesting that the elevated number of neutrophils is restricted to the site of antigen challenge. The generation of CD45.2AhR-/--->CD45.1AhR+/+ bone marrow chimeric mice demonstrates that even when hematopoietic cells lack the AhR, TCDD treatment still results in twice as many pulmonary neutrophils compared with control-treated, infected CD45.2AhR-/--->CD45.1AhR+/+ chimeric mice. This finding reveals that AhR-mediated events extrinsic to bone marrow-derived cells affect the directional migration of neutrophils to the infected lung. These results suggest that the lung contains important and heretofore overlooked targets of AhR regulation, unveiling a novel mechanism for controlling neutrophil recruitment to the infected lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Teske
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacology/Toxicology Graduate Program, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA
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32
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Galioto AM, Hess JA, Nolan TJ, Schad GA, Lee JJ, Abraham D. Role of eosinophils and neutrophils in innate and adaptive protective immunity to larval strongyloides stercoralis in mice. Infect Immun 2006; 74:5730-8. [PMID: 16988250 PMCID: PMC1594891 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01958-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine the roles of eosinophils and neutrophils in innate and adaptive protective immunity to larval Strongyloides stercoralis in mice. The experimental approach used was to treat mice with an anti-CCR3 monoclonal antibody to eliminate eosinophils or to use CXCR2-/- mice, which have a severe neutrophil recruitment defect, and then determine the effect of the reduction or elimination of the particular cell type on larval killing. It was determined that eosinophils killed the S. stercoralis larvae in naïve mice, whereas these cells were not required for the accelerated killing of larvae in immunized mice. Experiments using CXCR2-/- mice demonstrated that the reduction in recruitment of neutrophils resulted in significantly reduced innate and adaptive protective immunity. Protective antibody developed in the immunized CXCR2-/- mice, thereby demonstrating that neutrophils were not required for the induction of the adaptive protective immune response. Moreover, transfer of neutrophil-enriched cell populations recovered from either wild-type or CXCR2-/- mice into diffusion chambers containing larvae demonstrated that larval killing occurred with both cell populations when the diffusion chambers were implanted in immunized wild-type mice. Thus, the defect in the CXCR2-/- mice was a defect in the recruitment of the neutrophils and not a defect in the ability of these cells to kill larvae. This study therefore demonstrated that both eosinophils and neutrophils are required in the protective innate immune response, whereas only neutrophils are necessary for the protective adaptive immune response to larval S. stercoralis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Marie Galioto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St., BLSB 530, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Abstract
In order to chronically infect their hosts, filarial nematodes have generated a range of strategies to evade and down-modulate the host's immune system. The recent concept of suppression of immune responses by regulatory T cells has in part benefited from examinations in human and murine filariasis. Its further development in basic immunology animal models has in turn helped to better understand down-regulatory immune mechanisms in filariasis. Thus, filarial nematodes orchestrate down-regulation by inducing regulatory T cells and alternatively activated macrophages, which are able to suppress both Th1 and Th2 responses. Regulatory T cells can also induce the secretion of IgG4 from B cells as another arm of modulation. Dendritic cells are down-regulated upon first encounter with infective L3 larvae. Failure to respond to down-regulatory induction is based on genetic traits in hosts and leads to reduced parasite loads, albeit at the expense of pathology and disease. Since down-regulation in chronically and heavily infected hosts extends to third-party antigens, it is essential to analyse the impact of filarial infection for vaccination, allergy and important coinfections such as malaria, in order to foresee and avert potentially disastrous consequences of filariasis control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Parasitology, University Clinic Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
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34
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Attout T, Babayan S, Hoerauf A, Taylor DW, Kozek WJ, Martin C, Bain O. Blood-feeding in the young adult filarial worms Litomosoides sigmodontis. Parasitology 2005; 130:421-8. [PMID: 15830816 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004006651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this study with the filarial model Litomosoides sigmodontis, we demonstrate that the worms ingest host red blood cells at a precise moment of their life-cycle, immediately after the fourth moult. The red blood cells (RBC) were identified microscopically in live worms immobilized in PBS at 4 degrees C, and their density assessed. Two hosts were used: Mongolian gerbils, where microfilaraemia is high, and susceptible BALB/c mice with lower microfilaraemia. Gerbils were studied at 12 time-points, between day 9 post-inoculation (the worms were young 4th stage larvae) and day 330 p.i. (worms were old adults). Only the very young adult filarial worms had red blood cells in their gut. Haematophagy was observed between days 25 and 56 p.i. and peaked between day 28 and day 30 p.i. in female worms. In males, haematophagy was less frequent and intense. Similar kinetics of haematophagy were found in BALB/c mice, but frequency and intensity tended to be lower. Haematophagy seems useful to optimize adult maturation. These observations suggest that haematophagy is an important step in the life-cycle of L. sigmodontis. This hitherto undescribed phenomenon might be characteristic of other filarial species including human parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Attout
- Parasitologie Comparée et Modèles expérimentaux, associé a l'INSERM (U567), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle et Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, 61 rue Buffon, 75231 Paris 05, France
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Maizels RM, Balic A, Gomez-Escobar N, Nair M, Taylor MD, Allen JE. Helminth parasites--masters of regulation. Immunol Rev 2005; 201:89-116. [PMID: 15361235 DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.00191.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 635] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune regulation by parasites is a global concept that includes suppression, diversion, and conversion of the host immune response to the benefit of the pathogen. While many microparasites escape immune attack by antigenic variation or sequestration in specialized niches, helminths appear to thrive in exposed extracellular locations, such as the lymphatics, bloodstream, or gastrointestinal tract. We review here the multiple layers of immunoregulation that have now been discovered in helminth infection and discuss both the cellular and the molecular interactions involved. Key events among the host cell population are dominance of the T-helper 2 cell (Th2) phenotype and the selective loss of effector activity, against a background of regulatory T cells, alternatively activated macrophages, and Th2-inducing dendritic cells. Increasingly, there is evidence of important effects on other innate cell types, particularly mast cells and eosinophils. The sum effect of these changes to host reactivity is to create an anti-inflammatory environment, which is most favorable to parasite survival. We hypothesize therefore that parasites have evolved specific molecular strategies to induce this conducive landscape, and we review the foremost candidate immunomodulators released by helminths, including cytokine homologs, protease inhibitors, and an intriguing set of novel products implicated in immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick M Maizels
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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36
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Specht S, Volkmann L, Wynn T, Hoerauf A. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) counterregulates IL-4-dependent effector mechanisms in Murine Filariasis. Infect Immun 2004; 72:6287-93. [PMID: 15501755 PMCID: PMC522999 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.11.6287-6293.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) was at first described as a Th2-associated cytokine, although more recent reports have shown that immunosuppression applies to both Th1 and Th2 cell responses, e.g., when produced by T regulatory cells. This concept when applied to human filariasis would argue that high parasite loads are associated with IL-10, while bona fide Th2 responses, mediated by IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, are associated with parasite containment. To prove this relationship in a causal manner, we investigated the roles of IL-4 and IL-10 in a helminth infection model in which mice genetically deficient for IL-4, IL-10, or IL-4 plus IL-10 were infected with the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis. Compared to C57BL/6 wild-type and IL-10 knockout (KO) mice, IL-4 KO mice remained susceptible, exhibiting a remarkable number of live adult worms. Interestingly however, when the IL-10 gene was knocked out simultaneously with the IL-4 gene, the susceptibility of IL-4 KO mice was reversed. Although production of IFN-gamma was increased in IL-4/IL-10 double-knockout mice, depletion of gamma interferon did not affect worm elimination, so it seems unlikely to be the major factor in mediating resistance in IL-4/IL-10 KO mice. Taken together, the results of this study add proof to the concept that has arisen for human filariasis that IL-10-dependent responses, which are associated with patency, are antagonistic to bona fide Th2 responses, which control parasite loads. The finding that knockout of IL-10 reversed a disease phenotype induced by knockout of IL-4 gives the first causal evidence of an antagonistic activity between IL-4 and IL-10 in an infection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Specht
- Institute for Medical Parasitology, Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Germany
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37
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Babayan S, Attout T, Specht S, Hoerauf A, Snounou G, Rénia L, Korenaga M, Bain O, Martin C. Increased early local immune responses and altered worm development in high-dose infections of mice susceptible to the filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis. Med Microbiol Immunol 2004; 194:151-62. [PMID: 15338299 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-004-0226-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between the number of larvae inoculated and filarial infection outcome is an important fundamental and epidemiological issue. Our study was carried out with BALB/c mice infected with the filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis. For the first time, an immunological analysis of infection with various doses was studied in parallel with parasitological data. Mice were inoculated with 200, 60 or 25 infective larvae (third stage larvae, L3), and monitored over 80 days. At 60 h post-inoculation the immune response was stronger in the 200 L3 group than the 25 L3 group. Cells from lymph nodes draining the site of inoculation proliferated intensely and produced large amounts of IL-5 and IL-4. In the pleural cavity, leukocyte populations accumulated earlier and in larger quantities. IgG1, IL-4 and IL-10 serum concentrations were transiently higher. During the first 10 days the worm recovery rates were identical in all groups, but decreased thereafter in the 200 L3 group. In this group, the development of the worms was altered, with reduced lengths, diminished intra-uterine production of microfilariae and abnormalities of male copulatory organs. Whereas mice inoculated with 25 L3 became microfilaraemic, only one third reached patency in the 200 L3 group. However, detrimental effects of high numbers of worms are not seen in studies using different inoculation protocols. This suggests that the very early events determine subsequent immune response and infection outcome rather than competitive interactions between the worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Babayan
- Parasitologie Comparée et Modèles expérimentaux associé à INSERM U567 et Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 61 rue Buffon, 75213, Paris Cedex 05, France
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38
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Ellis TN, Beaman BL. Interferon-gamma activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophil function. Immunology 2004; 112:2-12. [PMID: 15096178 PMCID: PMC1782470 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01849.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2004] [Accepted: 02/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As current research illuminates the dynamic interplay between the innate and acquired immune responses, the interaction and communication between these two arms has yet to be fully investigated. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are known critical components of innate and acquired immunity, respectively. However, recent studies have demonstrated that these two components are not entirely isolated. Treatment of PMNs with IFN-gamma elicits a variety of responses depending on stimuli and environmental conditions. These responses include increased oxidative burst, differential gene expression, and induction of antigen presentation. Many of these functions have been overlooked in PMNs, which have long been classified as terminal phagocytic cells incapable of protein synthesis. As this review reports, the old definition of the PMN is in need of an update, as these cells have demonstrated their ability to mediate the transition between the innate and acquired immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri N Ellis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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39
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Babayan S, Ungeheuer MN, Martin C, Attout T, Belnoue E, Snounou G, Rénia L, Korenaga M, Bain O. Resistance and susceptibility to filarial infection with Litomosoides sigmodontis are associated with early differences in parasite development and in localized immune reactions. Infect Immun 2004; 71:6820-9. [PMID: 14638768 PMCID: PMC308919 DOI: 10.1128/iai.71.12.6820-6829.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to understand natural resistance to filariasis, we compared Litomosoides sigmodontis primary infection of C57BL/6 mice, which eliminate the worms before patency, and BALB/c mice, in which worms complete their development and produce microfilariae. Our analysis over the first month of infection monitoredmigration of the infective larvae from the lymph nodes to the pleural cavity, where the worms settle. Although immune responses from the mouse strains differed from the outset, the duration of lymphatic migration (4 days) and filarial recovery rates were similar, thus confirming that the proportion of larvae that develop in the host species upon infection is not influenced by host genetic variability. The majority of worms reached the adult stage in both mouse strains; however, worm growth and molting were retarded in resistant C57BL/6 mice. Surprisingly, the only immune responses detected at 60 h postinfection occurred in the susceptible mice and only upon stimulation of cells from lymph nodes draining the inoculation site with infective larva extract: massive production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-5 (the latter cytokine was previously suspected to have an effect on L. sigmodontis growth). However, between days 10 and 30 postinfection, extraordinarily high levels of type 1 and type 2 cytokines and expansion of pleural leukocyte infiltration were seen in the resistant C57BL/6 mice, explaining the destruction of worms later. Our results suggest that events early in the infection determine susceptibility or resistance to subsequent microfilarial production and a parasite strategy to use specific immune responses to its own benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Babayan
- Parasitologie Comparée et Modèles Expérimentaux, Associé à INSERM U567, and Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
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40
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Saeftel M, Arndt M, Specht S, Volkmann L, Hoerauf A. Synergism of gamma interferon and interleukin-5 in the control of murine filariasis. Infect Immun 2004; 71:6978-85. [PMID: 14638787 PMCID: PMC308906 DOI: 10.1128/iai.71.12.6978-6985.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been a prevailing perception that Th1 and Th2 immune responses induce antagonistic immune effector mechanisms during an infection. We investigated the role of the Th1 cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and the Th2 cytokine interleukin-5 (IL-5) in murine filariasis infections with the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis with regard to immune responses to the parasite. Earlier data showed an important role for IL-5 and IFN-gamma in effective immune responses to filarial infection. Therefore, in this study it was asked whether IL-5 and IFN-gamma act synergistically or antagonistically. Indeed, IL-5 as well as IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice show a higher worm load than the wild-type controls. IFN-gamma/IL-5 double-KO mice had a significantly higher worm load than any of the single-KO mice, suggesting a synergism between IFN-gamma and IL-5 in controlling worm infection. Neutrophils are known to play an important role for the containment and encapsulation process of the worms. In infected IFN-gamma KO, IL-5 KO, and IFN-gamma/IL-5 double-KO mice, neutrophils were significantly reduced in chemotactic activity levels compared to controls. In addition, the level of phagocytosis activity of neutrophils from IFN-gamma/IL-5 double-KO mice was further decreased in comparison to that of the single-KO mice. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is an important factor for neutrophil activation, were found to be reduced in macrophages from KO mice. In conclusion, these results argue for immune effector mechanisms in murine filarial infection that are dependent on both IFN-gamma and IL-5. Synergistic effects of the two cytokines may be mediated, at least in part, by neutrophils for the control of adult worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Saeftel
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Helminthology, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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41
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Volkmann L, Fischer K, Taylor M, Hoerauf A. Antibiotic therapy in murine filariasis (Litomosoides sigmodontis): comparative effects of doxycycline and rifampicin on Wolbachia and filarial viability. Trop Med Int Health 2003; 8:392-401. [PMID: 12753632 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.01040.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The symbiosis of filarial nematodes and rickettsial Wolbachia endobacteria has been exploited as a target for antibiotic therapy of filariasis. Depletion of Wolbachia after tetracycline treatment results in filarial sterility because of interruption of embryogenesis and inhibits larval development and adult worm viability. The aim of this study was to investigate if antibiotic intervention of BALB/c mice infected with the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis with rifampicin or the combination of rifampicin and doxycycline can be used to shorten the treatment period. Both regimens, when given over a period of 14 days initiated with infection, were sufficient to deplete Wolbachia as evidenced by immunohistology and semiquantitative PCR. Worm development and filarial load were significantly reduced in experiments followed up until 63 days p.i. The therapy inhibited embryogenesis and led to filarial sterility. In contrast, treatment with doxycycline alone for 21 days led only to a modest reduction of Wolbachia, filarial growth retardation, worm viability and fertility. In conclusion, the combination of antirickettsial drugs could be used as a suitable tool to explore the minimum duration of therapy required for the depletion of Wolbachia in parasitized hosts subsequent to the onset of patency in human and animal filariasis and the prevention of adverse reactions in human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Volkmann
- Department of Helminthology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
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42
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Le Goff L, Lamb TJ, Graham AL, Harcus Y, Allen JE. IL-4 is required to prevent filarial nematode development in resistant but not susceptible strains of mice. Int J Parasitol 2002; 32:1277-84. [PMID: 12204227 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(02)00125-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The murine Litomosoides sigmodontis model of filarial infection provides the opportunity to elucidate the immunological mechanisms that determine whether these nematode parasites can establish a successful infection or are rejected by the mammalian host. BALB/c mice are fully susceptible to L. sigmodontis infection and can develop patent infection, with the microfilarial stage circulating in the bloodstream. In contrast, mice on the C57BL background are largely resistant to the infection and never produce a patent infection. In this study, we used IL-4 deficient mice on the C57BL/6 background to address the role of IL-4 in the development of L. sigmodontis parasites in a resistant host. Two months after infection, adult worm recovery and the percentage of microfilaraemic mice in infected IL-4 deficient mice were comparable with those of the susceptible BALB/c mice while, as expected, healthy adults were not recovered from wild type C57BL/6 mice. The cytokine and antibody responses reveal that despite similar parasitology the two susceptible strains (BALB/c and IL-4 deficient C57BL/6) have markedly different immune responses: wild type BALB/c mice exhibit a strong Th2 immune response and the IL-4 deficient C57BL/6 mice exhibit a Th1 response. We also excluded a role for antibodies in resistance through infection of B-cell deficient C57BL/6 mice. Our data suggest that the mechanisms that determine parasite clearance in a resistant/non-permissive host are Th2 dependent but that in a susceptible/permissive host, the parasite can develop in the face of a Th2 dominated response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Le Goff
- Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, UK
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43
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Korten S, Volkmann L, Saeftel M, Fischer K, Taniguchi M, Fleischer B, Hoerauf A. Expansion of NK cells with reduction of their inhibitory Ly-49A, Ly-49C, and Ly-49G2 receptor-expressing subsets in a murine helminth infection: contribution to parasite control. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 168:5199-206. [PMID: 11994476 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.10.5199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cell-associated direct cytotoxicity and cytokine production are crucial mechanisms for early innate host resistance against viruses, bacteria, or protozoa. The engagement of inhibitory NK cell receptors can influence host responses to viruses. However, these receptors have not been investigated to date in parasitic infections, and little is known about the role of NK cells in the defense against helminths. Therefore, we have correlated the frequencies of cells expressing the pan-NK marker DX5 and subsets bearing inhibitory Ly-49 receptors with worm survival and cytokine production during infection with Litomosoides sigmodontis in BALB/c mice (H2(d)), the only fully permissive model of filariasis. A marked influx of DX5(+)/CD3(-) NK cells and DX5(+)/CD3(+) T cells into the pleural cavity, where the parasites were located, was observed. The frequency of pleural NK cells expressing the H2(d)-reactive inhibitory receptors Ly-49A, Ly-49C, or Ly-49G2 declined most strongly compared with spleen and blood. In the peripheral blood, longitudinal analysis revealed an early and stable reduction of Ly-49C(+) and Ly-49G2(+) NK cells, a subsequent significant increase of the entire NK cell and DX5(+)/CD3(+) T cell populations, and a reduction in the Ly-49A(+) subset. The in vivo depletion of NK cells strongly enhanced the worm load and influenced IL-4 and IL-5 plasma levels. These data demonstrate a new role for NK cells in the host defense against filariae and, for the first time, alterations of Ly-49 receptor-expressing NK cell subsets in a parasitic infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Ly
- Biomarkers/blood
- Carrier Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Carrier Proteins/biosynthesis
- Carrier Proteins/blood
- Carrier Proteins/physiology
- Cell Division/immunology
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Filariasis/immunology
- Filariasis/parasitology
- Filariasis/prevention & control
- Filarioidea/growth & development
- Filarioidea/immunology
- Immunophenotyping
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/parasitology
- Lectins, C-Type
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Lymphocyte Count
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Membrane Glycoproteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Glycoproteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Glycoproteins/blood
- Membrane Glycoproteins/physiology
- Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Proteins/blood
- Membrane Proteins/physiology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Microfilariae/growth & development
- Microfilariae/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Immunologic/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Immunologic/blood
- Receptors, Immunologic/physiology
- Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/parasitology
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Korten
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
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44
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Abstract
As research progress has led to programs for the elimination of onchocerciasis as a public health problem, research must now be intensified to protect elimination efforts. A profound understanding of the immunology in the human-parasite relationship is required for predicting the impacts of an altered immune response in a population post-microfilaricide treatment, and for the development of a vaccine against onchocerciasis, a highly desirable tool to guarantee sustained elimination success. This article summarizes the recent advancements in understanding the human immune mechanisms against onchocerciasis, and focuses on the new concept of T-cell suppressor responses as a major counterbalance mechanism for effector responses driven by T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells against the filarial worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achim Hoerauf
- Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.
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45
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Martin C, Saeftel M, Vuong PN, Babayan S, Fischer K, Bain O, Hoerauf A. B-cell deficiency suppresses vaccine-induced protection against murine filariasis but does not increase the recovery rate for primary infection. Infect Immun 2001; 69:7067-73. [PMID: 11598082 PMCID: PMC100087 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.11.7067-7073.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish the role of B cells and antibodies in destroying filariae, mice lacking mature B cells and therefore unable to produce antibodies were used. Litomosoides sigmodontis offers a good opportunity for this study because it is the only filarial species that completes its life cycle in mice. Its development was compared in B-cell-deficient mice (BALB/c muMT mice) and wild-type BALB/c mice in two different in vivo situations, vaccination with irradiated larvae and primary infection. In all cases, mice were challenged with subcutaneous inoculation of 40 infective larvae. Vaccine-induced protection was suppressed in B-cell-deficient mice. In these mice, eosinophils infiltrated the subcutaneous tissue normally during immunization; however, their morphological state did not change following challenge inoculation, whereas in wild-type mice the percentage of degranulated eosinophils was markedly increased. From this, it may be deduced that the eosinophil-antibody-B-cell complex is the effector mechanism of protection in vaccinated mice and that its action is fast and takes place in the subcutaneous tissue. In primary infection, the filarial survival and growth was not modified by the absence of B cells. However, no female worm had uterine microfilariae, nor did any mice develop a patent infection. In these mice, concentrations of type 1 (gamma interferon) and type 2 (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-5 and IL-10) cytokines in serum were lower and pleural neutrophils were more numerous. The effects of the muMT mutation therefore differ from those in B1-cell-deficient mice described on the same BALB/c background, which reveal a higher filarial recovery rate and microfilaremia. This outlines B2-cell-dependent mechanisms as favorable to the late maturation of L. sigmodontis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Martin
- Equipe Parasitologie Comparée et Modèles Expérimentaux, Associée à l'INSERM (U445), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, et Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France
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46
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Volkmann L, Saeftel M, Bain O, Fischer K, Fleischer B, Hoerauf A. Interleukin-4 is essential for the control of microfilariae in murine infection with the filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis. Infect Immun 2001; 69:2950-6. [PMID: 11292711 PMCID: PMC98247 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.5.2950-2956.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Litomosoides sigmodontis is the only filaria which develops from infective larvae into microfilaria-producing adults in immunocompetent laboratory mice. In this study we report that interleukin-4 knockout (IL-4 KO) mice have an up to 100-fold-higher and a significantly prolonged microfilaremia compared to wild-type BALB/c mice, as well as 20 times more microfilariae in the thoracic cavity, the site of infection. While worm development and adult worm persistence were equivalent in IL-4 KO and wild-type mice, the fertility and length of adult female worms in IL-4 KO mice was clearly enhanced. The high susceptibility to microfilariae in IL-4 KO mice required the presence of adult worms in a full infection cycle since microfilariae loads did not differ much between IL-4 KO and wild-type mice when purified microfilariae were injected into mice. In addition, we found that eosinophilia was diminished and immunoglobulin E (IgE) was absent in IL-4 KO mice. IgE, however, does not seem to be the essential factor for microfilarial containment since microfilaremia was not elevated in B-cell KO mice. In conclusion, IL-4 is shown for the first time to be essential for the control of microfilarial loads but not of adult worm loads in a fully permissive murine filarial infection. IL-4 dependent effector pathways seem to operate on adult worms rather than directly on microfilariae.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Volkmann
- Department of Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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