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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
Schistosoma mansoni PIII antigen modulates in vitro granuloma formation by regulating CD28, CTLA-4, and CD86
C S Zouain1, P L Falcão, T S Goes
1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486, CEP 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Abstract:
We investigated the in vitro responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from intestinal chronic schistosomiasis patients to PIII, a multivalent antigen prepared from Schistosoma mansoni adult worm. PIII decreased cellular proliferation and granulomatous reaction. Moreover, induced the reduction of IFN-gamma levels and increased IL-10 production. To better understand the mechanism through which the observed suppression occurs, the present study focused on the phenotypic pattern displayed by PBMC treated with PIII in an in vitro granuloma assay. Expression of the surface markers CD28, CTLA-4 and CD86 by lymphocytes and monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results demonstrated a significant decrease of CD28+CD4+ and CD28+CD8+ T-cell percentage stimulated by PIII compared to its non-infected counterparts. This suppressive effect was related to a significant increase in the percentage of T-cells expressing CTLA-4. PIII also promoted a significant increase in the percentage of cells expressing CD86. Indeed, our results demonstrated that PIII was capable of modulating in vitro granuloma reaction, and this event was related to the balance of IL-10, IFN-gamma and CD28, CTLA-4, CD86 bringing new insight to the immunoregulation of granulomatous hypersensitivity in human schistosomiasis.
Insights
The study reveals that Schistosoma mansoni antigen PIII suppresses immune responses in chronic schistosomiasis patients by altering T-cell markers and cytokine production, offering insights into granuloma formation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chronic schistosomiasis involves complex immune responses, including granuloma formation, which can be modulated by parasite antigens.
- Understanding the immunoregulatory mechanisms in schistosomiasis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenotypic changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from chronic schistosomiasis patients upon in vitro stimulation with Schistosoma mansoni antigen PIII.
- To elucidate the role of PIII in modulating immune cell surface markers and cytokine profiles related to granuloma formation.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from intestinal chronic schistosomiasis patients were stimulated with PIII antigen in an in vitro granuloma assay.
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of surface markers CD28, CTLA-4, and CD86 on lymphocytes and monocytes.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were measured.
Main Results:
- PIII antigen significantly decreased cellular proliferation and granuloma reaction.
- PIII reduced IFN-gamma levels and increased IL-10 production.
- A decrease in CD28+ T-cells and an increase in CTLA-4 and CD86 expressing cells were observed, indicating immune suppression.
Conclusions:
- PIII modulates the in vitro granuloma reaction in schistosomiasis patients.
- The observed immunomodulation is linked to changes in IL-10, IFN-gamma, and surface markers (CD28, CTLA-4, CD86).
- These findings provide new insights into the immunoregulation of granulomatous hypersensitivity in human schistosomiasis.
