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The neurotropic schistosome vs experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: are there any winners?
Smídová, Barbora; Majer, Martin; Novák, Jan; Revalová, Alena; Horák, Petr; Machácek, Tomás.
Affiliation
  • Smídová B; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
  • Majer M; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
  • Novák J; Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia.
  • Revalová A; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
  • Horák P; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
  • Machácek T; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
Parasitology ; 151(4): 412-420, 2024 Apr.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38443998
ABSTRACT
The incidences of multiple sclerosis have risen worldwide, yet neither the trigger nor efficient treatment is known. Some research is dedicated to looking for treatment by parasites, mainly by helminths. However, little is known about the effect of helminths that infect the nervous system. Therefore, we chose the neurotropic avian schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti, which strongly promotes M2 polarization and tissue repair in the central nervous system, and we tested its effect on the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. Surprisingly, the symptoms of EAE tended to worsen after the infection with T. regenti. The infection did not stimulate tissue repair, as indicated by the similar level of demyelination. Eosinophils heavily infiltrated the infected tissue, and the microglia number increased as well. Furthermore, splenocytes from T. regenti-infected EAE mice produced more interferon (IFN)-γ than splenocytes from EAE mice after stimulation with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Our research indicates that the combination of increased eosinophil numbers and production of IFN-γ tends to worsen the EAE symptoms. Moreover, the data highlight the importance of considering the direct effect of the parasite on the tissue, as the migrating parasite may further tissue damage and make tissue repair even more difficult.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Interferon-gamma / Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Mice, Inbred C57BL Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Parasitology Year: 2024 Document type: Article Country of publication:

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Interferon-gamma / Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Mice, Inbred C57BL Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Parasitology Year: 2024 Document type: Article Country of publication: