The role of egg antigens, cytokines in granuloma formation in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract

The induction of granuloma formation by soluble egg antigens (SEA) of Schistosoma mansoni is accompanied by T cell-mediated lymphokine production that regulates the intensity of the response. In the present study we have examined the ability of SDS-PAGE fractionated SEA proteins to elicit granulomas and lymphokine production in infected and egg-immunized mice. At the acute stage of infection SEA fractions (< 21, 25-30, 32-38, 60-66, 70-90, 93-125, and > 200 kD) that elicited pulmonary granulomas also elicited IL-2, IL-4 lymphokine production. At the chronic stage a diminished number of fractions (60-66, 70-90, 93-125, and > 200 kD) were able to elicit granulomas with an overall decrease in IL-2, IL-4 production. Granulomas were elicited by larval-egg crossreactive and egg-specific fractions at both the acute and chronic stage of the infection. Examination of lymphokine production from egg-immunized mice demonstrated that as early as 4 days IL-2 was produced by spleen cells stimulated with < 21, 32-38, 40-46, 93-125, and > 200 kD fractions. By 16 days, IL-2 production was evoked by 8 of 9 fractions. IL-4 production at 4 days in response to all fractions was minimal while at 16 days IL-4 was elicited with the < 21, 25-30, 50-56, 93-125, and > 200 kD fractions. The present study reveals differences in the range of SEA fractions able to elicit granulomas and IL-2, IL-4 production between acute and chronic stages of infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Association of Type 2 Cytokines with Hepatic Fibrosis in HumanSchistosoma mansoniInfection

“…Another recent study has also associated low IFN-␥ production with liver fibrosis (4). In fact, earlier studies on schistosomiasis pathology in mice demonstrated that IFN-␥ reduces the cellularity of granulomas and downmodulates granuloma size (5). These data are in agreement with the data from the present study, because IFN-␥ is the major type 1 cytokine involved in the downmodulation of T helper type 2 cells.…”

Cytokine profile associated with human chronic schistosomiasis mansoni

“…Another recent study has also associated low IFN-γ production with liver fibrosis (Booth et al 2004). In fact, earlier studies on schistosomiasis pathology in mice demonstrated that IFN-γ reduces the cellularity of granulomas, and downmodulates granuloma size (Boros & Lukacs 1992). These data are in concordance with the data from the present study, because IFN-γ is the major type 1 cytokine involved in down modulate T helper type 2 cells.…”

Quantitave and qualitative interferences of pentoxifillyne on hepatic Schistosoma mansoni granulomas: effects on extracellular matrix and eosinophil population

“…Pentoxyfilline (PTX), a methylxantine phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been found to have an antiproliferative effect on cytokine induced mitogenesis on fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, reduces transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts and causes inhibition of extracellular matrix synthesis (Berman & Duncan 1989, Curt et al 1994, Duncan et al 1995, Windmeier & Gresser 1996, Preaux et al 1997, Insbrucker & Peterson 1998. PTX can interfere on a large spectrum of cytokines with proinflammatory actions, such as TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-1 (Bienvenu et al 1995), which also affect the schistosomal granuloma development (Boros & Lukacs 1992, Cheever et al 1992.…”