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Comparison of complement activation in vitro by different Echinococcus granulosus extracts
F Irigoín1, R Würzner, R B Sim
1Cátedra de Immunología, Facultad de Quimica/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevidco, Uruguay.
Parasite Immunology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Echinococcus granulosus metacestode extracts activate human complement. Hydatid cyst fluid and protoscolex extracts are potent activators, suggesting parasite defense mechanisms against host complement damage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The complement (C) system is a crucial part of innate immunity.
- Echinococcus granulosus is a parasitic cestode that causes cystic echinococcosis.
- Understanding parasite-host interactions, particularly immune evasion, is vital for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vitro complement-activating activity of different Echinococcus granulosus metacestode preparations.
- To investigate the potential role of complement activation in parasite-host immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of extracts from hydatid cyst fluid (HCF-ext), protoscoleces (PSC-ext), and hydatid cyst membrane (HCM-ext).
- In vitro assessment of human complement activation by these extracts, measuring C3 conversion, C5b6 complex generation, and terminal C complex (TCC) formation.
- Comparison of C activating activities with inulin as a reference.
Main Results:
- All three preparations (HCF-ext, PSC-ext, HCM-ext) activated human complement, leading to C3 conversion and formation of C5b6 and TCC.
- HCM-ext exhibited significantly lower C-activating activity compared to PSC-ext and HCF-ext.
- PSC-ext and HCF-ext were potent C activators, comparable to inulin, with HCF-ext producing higher levels of TCC than PSC-ext despite similar C3d and C5b6 generation.
Conclusions:
- Echinococcus granulosus metacestode components possess distinct complement-activating properties.
- The differential activation patterns suggest the parasite employs multiple complement modulation strategies for immune evasion.
- These findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay between Echinococcus granulosus and the host immune system.