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LPS-induced immunomodulation and hormonal variation over time in toads
Braz Titon Junior1, Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon1, Vania Regina Assis1
1Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
The inflammatory response in toads involves hormonal and immune changes over time after an immune challenge. Body condition influences the toad
Area of Science:
- Comparative immunology
- Endocrinology
- Amphibian physiology
Background:
- The inflammatory response involves complex interactions between endocrine and immune systems.
- Understanding time-related responses can characterize inflammatory phases in anurans.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate time-related changes in endocrine (corticosterone, melatonin, testosterone) and immune (phagocytosis, bacterial killing, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) markers following an immune challenge in Rhinella diptycha toads.
- Determine the influence of body condition on these responses.
Main Methods:
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge administered to Rhinella diptycha toads.
- Plasma samples collected at 1, 3, 6, and 18 hours post-challenge.
- Measurements included plasma corticosterone (CORT), melatonin (MEL), testosterone (T), phagocytosis percentage (PP), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR).
Main Results:
- LPS challenge increased CORT, PP, BKA, and NLR, while decreasing MEL and T.
- CORT elevation was most pronounced at 6 and 18 hours; NLR increased at 18 hours.
- MEL and T decreased irrespective of time post-LPS; better body condition correlated with higher BKA and PP.
Conclusions:
- Rhinella diptycha exhibits a rapid and time-dependent inflammatory response to LPS, influenced by body condition.
- Demonstrates conserved regulatory mechanisms of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal and immune-pineal axes in tetrapods.
- Highlights the evolutionary conservation of immune response regulation across vertebrates.
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