RESUMO
This work studied the histopathological changes and the changes in the expression of macrophage adhesion molecule-1 (Mac-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in a murine model of soluble egg antigen (SEA) - induced granulomatous hyporesponsiveness. Histopathological results of hepatic sections in an SEA group showed early acceleration of ova destruction and markedly diminished granuloma cellularity with eosinophils and macrophages still being the predominant cells. Later, giant cells and pigmented macrophages that were scattered among granuloma cells and in intimate contact with the deposited eggs were more predominant in the SEA group than in the infected control group. Concurrently, the counts of Mac-1 positive cells were significantly increased in liver sections of the SEA group than the infected control group during the course of infection. MIP-1alpha showed early higher counts followed by lower counts in the later stages of infection on granuloma cells in the SEA group than the infected control group. During the course of infection, similar distribution of Mac-1 and MIP-1alpha was present in both groups. This study suggests that sensitization with SEA probably leads to enhancement of phagocytic activity of macrophages via increasing expression of Mac-1 and hence engulfment of ic3b coated schistosomal products such as ova. It leads to rapid destruction of ova and hence decreases the host inflammatory response to infection and amelioration of hepatic pathology which would be a promising approach in reduction of host morbidity and mortality.
