The implantation of Taenia solium metacestodes in mice induces down-modulation of T-cell proliferation and cytokine production

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the implantation of Taenia solium metacestodes and the treatment with suppressive metacestode factor (F1) on the ability of spleen cells from Balb/c mice to produce cytokines. Cytokine production was estimated 12 days following the implantation or 4 days after the last dose of F1 (five doses) by RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses. Spleen cells were obtained from metacestode-implanted, F1-treated and control mice. They were stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) ex vivo and used for RT-PCR studies and for CD25 expression and intracellular cytokine production estimations using specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with phycoerithrin or fluorescein. Results of the RT-PCR showed that all cells expressed IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 mRNAs. IL-10 mRNA was not expressed in any case. Flow cytometry analyses showed that both spleen CD4+ and CD8+ cells from metacestode-implanted or treated-F1 mice expressed significantly diminished percentages of CD25 when compared with control cells (P<0.05). The estimation of intracellular cytokines showed that the production of IL-2 and IL-4 in CD8+ cells, and of IFN-gamma in CD4+ cells from mice implanted with metacestodes was significantly impaired when compared with the values from control cells (P<0.05).

Mechanisms Regulating Monocyte CXCL8 Secretion in Neurocysticercosis and the Effect of Antiparasitic Therapy

“…These data contrast with the elevated TNF-α and CXCL8 concentrations detected in a wide range of parasitic diseases (46-49). Data are consistent with other observations indicating that innate and adaptive arms of the host-immune response may be downregulated in response to T. solium (42, 44, 50, 51). In contrast, there was no evidence of immune suppression in Con A-stimulated PBMCs from NCC patients compared with controls (52), and active peripheral immunity was reported in NCC patients (53).…”

“…Our data are consistent with other findings that showed that T. solium manipulates the host-immune system into supporting its survival by keeping a low-inflammatory profile. Implantation of metacestodes into mice significantly reduced production of IL-2 and IL-4 from CD8 + cells, as well as IFN-γ from CD4 + cells (42). A metacestode-derived factor significantly reduced inflammation and cyst degeneration in an experimental mouse model (43).…”

The Complex Role of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Cysticercosis:Immunological Lessons from Experimental and Natural Hosts

“…implantation of metacestodes of T. solium in mice renders T cells refractory to polyclonal stimulation and inhibits the increase of pro-inflammaroty cytokines [72]. When these parasites are killed by treatment with praziquantel, these immunomodulatory activities are lost, indicating that live parasites are able to modulate host immune responses.…”

Apoptosis of mouse hippocampal cells induced by Taenia crassiceps metacestode factor

“…(2014) identified correlations among T. crassiceps infection, altered short-term memory and altered levels of neurotransmitters and cytokines in the mouse hippocampus. Using T. solium metacestode in vitro secretions obtained from cysticercotic pigs, a ‘fraction’ of low molecular weight has been isolated, which significantly induced down-modulation of human and mouse T-cell proliferation and cytokine production when stimulated with lectins (Molinari et al ., 1990; Arechavaleta et al ., 1998; Hernández-Mendoza et al ., 2005).…”