Systemic Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Individuals With Schistosoma mansoni Infection and Low Parasite Burden.

Intestinal schistosomiasis, caused by the parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni, is a chronic disease and the prolonged and continuous exposure to S. mansoni antigens results in a deviation of the host's immune response. For diagnosis, the Kato-Katz (KK) method is recommended, however, this method showed low accuracy in areas of low endemicity. This study aimed to characterize the cytokine and chemokine profile of individuals with an extremely low parasite load (<4 eggs per gram of feces), e.g., individuals who were detected by alternative parasitological methods, such as the saline gradient and/or Helmintex®. In order to search for immunological markers for infection, the immunological profile in serum samples of these individuals was then compared with patients detected with the KK method and with a higher parasite load and with individuals repetitively negative by extensive stool exams. The study was conducted in Northern Minas Gerais in a rural area of the Municipality of Januária. Serum samples of a total of 139 parasitologically well-characterized individuals were assessed for the following immunological markers by commercially available immunoassays: TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-33, IL-27, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL10, CCL11, and CCL17. As a result, there were no significant differences in concentrations or frequencies for immunological markers between egg-negative individuals or individuals with ultra-low (<4 epg) or low (4-99 epg) parasite loads. However, we found significant correlations between egg counts and eosinophil counts and between egg counts and IL-1ß or TNF-α concentrations. The most striking alterations were found in individuals with the highest parasite load (≥100 epg). They had significantly higher TNF-α concentrations in serum when compared with individuals with a low parasite load (4-99 epg) and CCL17 concentrations were significantly elevated when compared with egg-negative individuals. Radar diagrams of frequencies for cytokine and chemokine responders in each infection group confirmed a distinct profile only in the infection group with highest parasite loads (≥100 epg).

Interleucina-9 estimula a expressão de CCL17/TARC em células epiteliais de pulmão murino / Interleukin-9 stimulates murine lung epithelial cell to express CCL17/TARC

Proposição: As células epiteliais das vias respiratórias desempenham uma importante função na patogênese da asma. Elas são responsáveis pela liberação de mediadores químicos ativadores do sistema imunológico na resposta inflamatória das vias aéreas. Citocinas e quimiocinas produzidas por leucócitos ativam as células estruturais dos brônquios e incitam a síntese de outros mediadores químicos que potencializam a inflamação no local. A interleucina-9 (IL-9) é uma importante citocina ativadora das células epiteliais, regula a produção de muco e induz a expressão de quimiocinas e citocinas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar se células epiteliais de pulmão murino (LA-4) estimuladas com a citocina IL-9 produzem a quimiocina do timo regulada por ativação (CCL17/TARC) e o mediador lipídico leucotrieno-C4 (LTC4), e quais vias de sinalização intracelular estariam envolvidas nesse processo. Julga-se que as proteínas quinases desempenhem uma função primordial na expressão e ativação de citocinas e quimiocinas nas vias aéreas, portanto, foi investigada a função da p38 proteína quinase ativada por mitógeno (MAPK), MAPK p42/44, e fosfatidilinositol 3-quinase (PI3K) sobre o efeito da IL-9 na expressão da quimiocina CCL17/TARC em células LA-4. Abordagem experimental: a expressão de CCL17/TARC por LA-4 foi avaliada utilizando Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Transcriptase Reversa (RT-PCR). A produção de leucotrieno C4 (LTC4) e CCL17/TARC foi avaliada por ELISA. As células LA-4 foram pré-tratados com o antagonista do receptor de cisteinil leucotrieno (CysLT) (MK 571) (10 μM), com o inibidor da p42/44 MAPK (PD98059) (30 μM), inibidor da p38 MAPK (SB203580) (30µM) , e com o inibidor PI3K (wortmannin) (0,1 µM) 30 min antes da estimulação com IL-9 (40 ng/mL). Resultados: a estimulação com IL-9 de células LA-4 induz a expressão do RNAm CCL17/TARC após 24 horas. PD98059 e SB203580 inibiu a expressão do RNAm CCL17/TARC induzida pela IL-9 em LA-4, enquanto o wortmannin foi...

Background and propose: The airway epithelial cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, are responsible for the release of chemical mediators of the immune system triggers inflammation in the airways. Cytokines and chemokines produced by leukocytes activate structural bronchial cells and induce the synthesis of other chemical mediators which enhance the site inflammation. Interleukin-9 (IL-9) is an important cytokine activating epithelial cells, regulating mucus production and induces the expression of chemokines and cytokines. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether murine lung epithelial cells (LA-4) IL-9-stimulated produce the thymus and activation-regulated chemokines (CCL17/TARC) and lipid mediator leukotriene-C4 (LTC4) and what intracellular signaling pathways would be involved in this process. Kinases are believed to play a crucial role in the expression and activation of cytokines and chemokines in the airways. Therefore the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p42/44 MAPK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) upon the effect of IL-9 on the CCL17/TARC expression in murine lung alveolar epithelial cells (LA-4) was investigated. Experimental approach: CCL17/TARC expression in LA-4 was evaluated using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and CCL17/TARC production were assessed by ELISA. LA-4 had been pre-treated with cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist (CysLT) (MK 571) (10 μM), p42/44 MAPK inhibitor (PD98059) (30 μM), p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) (30 μM), and PI3K inhibitor (Wortmannin) (0.1 μM) 30 min prior to IL-9 (40 ng.mL-1) stimulation. Key results: IL-9-stimulated LA-4 induced CCL17/TARC mRNA expression after 24 hours. PD98059 and SB203580 inhibited the CCL17/TARC mRNA expression induced by IL-9 in LA-4, while wortmannin was ineffective. The IL-9-stimulated LA-4 is able to produce LTC4, as observed 24 hours after stimulation. Conclusion and...