Concentrations of PGE2 and TXB2 in the Eyes of Mice with Disseminated Acanthamoebiasis

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that Acanthamoeba spp. may invade the eyes by migrating along the optic nerve to the eyes from the brain. This study aimed to confirm the presence of inflammation in the eyes of mice with disseminated acanthamoebiasis by examining prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations in the eyes of immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice intranasally inoculated with Acanthamoeba spp. The PGE2 concentration was statistically significantly lower in the immunocompromised amoebae-infected mice on 8 dpi compared with the noninfected group of animals, and it was higher in the eyes of immunosuppressed amoebae-infected mice on 16 dpi than in the control group of animals. There was a statistically significant lower TXB2 concentration in the eyes of immunocompetent infected mice compared with the noninfected group on 8 dpi. However, on 24 dpi, we noted statistically significant higher TXB2 levels in the immunocompetent infected mice than in the control group. In immunocompromised mice, there was a lower TXB2 level on 8 dpi than in control mice. This study confirmed the existence of an inflammatory process in the eyes of immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. without damaged corneas.

The roles of COX-2 in protozoan infection

“…Therefore, a focus on the relationship between the parasites and hosts is needed. The symptoms of AK are mostly redness, photophobia, tears, conjunctival congestion and eye pain, and AK is usually misdiagnosed as herpetic, bacterial or fungal keratitis ( 165 ).…”

Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Acanthamoeba culbertsoni Have COX and Proteolytic Activity and Induce Hemolysis

“…As a part of contact-independent mechanisms, it has been shown that Acanthamoeba spp. releases hydrolytic enzymes, such as cysteine proteases, elastases, and phospholipases [22][23][24] as well as serine proteases, that induce the degradation of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin [25]; collagen type I, III [26] and IV; elastin; and fibronectin [27]. These proteases could facilitate the invasion of amoebae through cell junctions, without causing their destruction [9].…”