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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Transformation of Probiotic Yeast and Their Recovery from Gastrointestinal Immune Tissues Following Oral Gavage in Mice
Published on: February 8, 2016
Preliminary studies on the effects of orally-administered Transforming Growth Factor-beta on protozoan diseases in
Boniface Namangala1, Noboru Inoue, Chihiro Sugimoto
1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.
Abstract:
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is a pleiotropic cytokine with both pro- and antiinflammatory properties, depending on its environment and concentration. The present study evaluated the effects of orally-delivered TGF-beta1 on mice parenterally-infected with various protozoan parasites. We report that while orally-administered TGF-beta1 seems to confer partial protection against murine chronic babesiosis and acute trypanosomosis, no beneficial clinical effects were observed against acute babesiosis, malaria or toxoplasmosis. Taken together, these preliminary data suggest that the systemic effects conferred by exogenous TGF-beta1 could be parasite species-specific. The variations in different parasitic infections could be due to (i) intrinsic differences between parasite species and/or strains in their ability to induce production of immunosuppressive molecules and/or (ii) differences in mechanisms governing host protection against different parasitic infections.
Insights
Orally administered transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) provided partial protection against some protozoan parasites in mice. However, its effects were parasite species-specific, showing no benefit against others.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is a cytokine with complex roles in inflammation.
- Its effects can be context-dependent, exhibiting both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of orally delivered TGF-beta1 on mice infected with various protozoan parasites.
- To determine if TGF-beta1 confers protection against different parasitic infections.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with protozoan parasites including Babesia, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma.
- TGF-beta1 was administered orally to assess its therapeutic or protective effects.
Main Results:
- Oral TGF-beta1 showed partial protection in chronic murine babesiosis and acute trypanosomosis.
- No significant clinical benefits were observed against acute babesiosis, malaria, or toxoplasmosis.
Conclusions:
- The systemic effects of exogenous TGF-beta1 appear to be specific to the parasite species.
- Variations in response may be due to parasite-induced immunosuppression or differences in host protective mechanisms.
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