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Pro-inflammatory (IL-1beta, IL-18) cytokines and IL-8 chemokine release by PBMC in response to Echinococcus
Alexandra Eger1, Astrid Kirch, B Manfras
1Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstr. 27, Germany.
Abstract:
In humans infected with Echinococcus multilocularis, larval metacestodes will develop, proliferate and progressively infiltrate the surrounding host tissues by exogenous budding of parasitic microvesicles or cell lines which detach from the original tumour and thus become transported through blood or lymph vessels into other organs. Cellular effector mechanisms constitute the most effective means to restrict parasite persistence and proliferation, and here we demonstrate that E. multilocularis vesicle antigens will induce pro-inflammatory, regulatory and chemokine release by PBMC from patients. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-18 were reduced in echinococcosis patients, regulatory IL-10 was similar, but parasite vesicle-induced IL-8 was dominant and clearly elevated in patients. Such selective and opposite dynamics of inflammatory cytokines and chemokine release may prevent overwhelming and pathogenic inflammation, and constitute an appropriate response for attraction of effector cells into the periparasitic tissues with the capacity to limit E. multilocularis metacestode proliferation and dissemination.
Insights
Echinococcus multilocularis infection in humans triggers immune responses. Parasitic vesicle antigens induce specific cytokine and chemokine releases, potentially limiting parasite spread.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Echinococcus multilocularis infection leads to larval metacestode growth and tissue infiltration in humans.
- Cellular immune responses are crucial for controlling parasite proliferation and dissemination.
- Parasitic microvesicles and cell lines contribute to the spread of Echinococcus multilocularis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune response induced by Echinococcus multilocularis vesicle antigens in patients.
- To analyze the release of cytokines and chemokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to parasite antigens.
- To understand how these immune mediators influence parasite control and dissemination.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cytokine and chemokine profiles in PBMC from Echinococcus multilocularis-infected patients.
- Stimulation of PBMC with E. multilocularis vesicle antigens.
- Quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-18), regulatory cytokine (IL-10), and chemokines (IL-8).
Main Results:
- E. multilocularis vesicle antigens induced pro-inflammatory, regulatory, and chemokine release from patient PBMC.
- Reduced levels of IL-1beta and IL-18 were observed in patients compared to controls.
- Elevated levels of IL-8, a key chemokine, were dominant in patients, suggesting an attraction of effector cells.
- IL-10 levels remained similar between patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- The selective modulation of cytokine and chemokine release, particularly elevated IL-8, may balance inflammation and attract immune cells to periparasitic tissues.
- This immune response appears crucial for limiting the proliferation and dissemination of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes.
- Understanding these immune dynamics offers insights into host defense mechanisms against parasitic infections.