Cytokine expression in hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

Authors: JITTIMANEE, J.¹; SERMSWAN, R. W.¹; PUAPAIROJ, A.²; MALEEWONG, W.³; WONGRATANACHEEWIN, S.⁴

Source: Parasite Immunology, Volume 29, Number 3, March 2007 , pp. 159-167(9)

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Abstract:

SUMMARY

The cytokine mRNA expression of IL-12, IFN-γ, TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were investigated in spleen, liver and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) in hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. Animals were infected with 5, 25 or 100 metacercariae (Mc) and examined by RT-PCR and real-time PCR at 2 weeks, 2 and 6 months after infection. The cytokine expression was compared using HPRT. The IL-12 was significantly expressed at 2 weeks in the liver of the 5- and 25-Mc-infected groups. It is correlated with the inflammation intensity found in the liver at the same time. The production of IFN-γ was not increased. The significant increase in expression of IL-10 was observed in the 6-month group in the spleen, which may suppress the Th1 and lead to a Th2 response. The IL-4 and TGF-β expressions in MLN were significantly increased, and correlated with the dose of infection, especially in the 6-month groups. The TGF-β level in MLN was 15-fold higher than in the uninfected control, compared to a twofold increase in spleen and liver. Because this parasite resides in the bile duct, the regulatory cytokine levels of mucosal immunity were enhanced more than those in systemic immunity. These results indicate the predominance of Th2 responses in chronic O. viverrini infection, and the high level of TGF-β may inhibit the immune functions, which allows the parasites to evade host immune response.

Keywords: cytokines; hamster; immunopathology; Opisthorchis viverrini

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00929.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biochemistry, 2: Department of Pathology, 3: Department of Parasitology, and 4: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Publication date: 2007-03-01

Cytokine expression in hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

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