Neurotrophic Factors in Experimental Cerebral Acanthamoebiasis.
Int J Mol Sci
; 23(9)2022 Apr 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35563321
ABSTRACT
To date, no studies have addressed the role of neurotrophins (NTs) in Acanthamoeba spp. infections in the brain. Thus, to clarify the role of NTs in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus during experimental acanthamoebiasis in relation to the host immune status, the purpose of this study was to determine whether Acanthamoeba spp. may affect the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in brain structures. Our results suggest that at the beginning of infection in immunocompetent hosts, BDNF and NT-3 may reflect an endogenous attempt at neuroprotection against Acanthamoeba spp. infection. We also observed a pro-inflammatory effect of NGF during acanthamoebiasis in immunosuppressed hosts. This may provide important information for understanding the development of cerebral acanthamoebiasis related to the immunological status of the host. However, the pathogenesis of brain acanthamoebiasis is still poorly understood and documented and, therefore, requires further research.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Acanthamoeba
/
Amebiasis
/
Nerve Growth Factors
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Mol Sci
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Poland