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Cytokine mRNA expression in pigs infected with Schistosoma japonicum
I P Oswald1, C M Dozois, R Barlagne
1Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Toxicologie, Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, Toulouse, France. ioswald@toulouse.inra.fr
Abstract:
The pig is a natural host of Schistosoma japonicum and a useful animal model of human disease. In the present study mRNA levels of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-10 and IL-4) cytokines were assessed by RT-PCR within tissues from infected pigs. Twelve Danish crossbred pigs were infected by intramuscular injection or orally with 1000 cercariae. Six other pigs served as non-infected controls. Liver and intestinal tissues were collected 10 weeks post-infection, and analysed for their relative levels of cytokine mRNA. Infected pigs developed a Th2 response as characterized by the increased level of mRNA encoding for IL-4 and IL-10 in their large intestine (caecum and colon). In contrast, levels of IFN-gamma did not differ between control and infected animals although variation between animals was observed. When comparing the immune response of orally and intramuscularly infected animals, we found that orally infected pigs produced higher IL-4 and IL-10 levels in their caecum and colon respectively. This stronger Th2 response correlated with a previously reported delay in maturation of infection following oral infection. The cytokine expression levels in tissue samples taken from lesion sites and in nearby areas, without obvious lesions, were then compared. Subsequent to an oral infection, the Th2 type cytokine production was higher in the lesion sites of the liver. In conclusion, this study is the first demonstration of IL-4 and IL-10 cytokine response in pig tissues during S. japonicum infection.
Insights
Pigs infected with Schistosoma japonicum showed a Th2 immune response, with higher interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine levels in the intestine. Oral infection led to a stronger Th2 response compared to intramuscular infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pigs are natural hosts for Schistosoma japonicum, making them a relevant animal model for human schistosomiasis.
- Understanding the host immune response in pigs is crucial for disease management and developing interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mRNA levels of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines in pig tissues following Schistosoma japonicum infection.
- To compare the immune responses induced by different infection routes (intramuscular vs. oral).
Main Methods:
- Danish crossbred pigs were infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae via intramuscular injection or orally.
- Liver and intestinal tissues were collected 10 weeks post-infection.
- Relative cytokine mRNA levels were quantified using RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Infected pigs exhibited increased mRNA levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the large intestine, indicating a Th2-biased immune response.
- No significant difference in IFN-gamma levels was observed between infected and control groups.
- Orally infected pigs showed higher IL-4 and IL-10 levels in specific intestinal regions (caecum and colon) compared to intramuscularly infected pigs.
- Th2 cytokine production was elevated in liver lesion sites following oral infection.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of IL-4 and IL-10 cytokine responses in pig tissues during Schistosoma japonicum infection.
- The findings highlight a distinct Th2-dominant immune response in pigs, with variations influenced by the route of infection.