ABSTRACT
Our objectives were to investigate whether immunomodulatory cytokines, TGF-beta and IL-10, are stimulated in response to cystic echinococcosis [CE] components in mice model, and whether major hydatid fluid antigens or live protoscoleces could equally contribute to such cytokines. Protoscoleces were obtained by aseptic puncture of fertile sheep hydatid cysts. Hydatid fluid antigens [HFAgs] and Antigen B [AgB] were prepared by partial purification and electroelution, respectively. Of the 25 Balb/c mice assigned in four groups, the first group was inoculated ip with 2000 live protoscoleces; the second and the third groups were injected ip with 50 micro g HFAgs and 50 micro g AgB in 200 micro l of PBS, respectively. Control group was only injected with PBS. The sera concentration of TGF-beta and IL-10 were determined by ELISA. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey-HSD tests to compare differences between means. The mean concentration of TGF-beta in those groups injected with protoscoleces, HFAgs and AgB were significantly higher than control group. However, in the case of IL-10 such differences were only detected in mice that were inoculated with protoscoleces [356 +/- 11 pg/ml] compared to control [207 +/- 9 pg/ml], HFAgs and AgB groups. TGF-beta and IL-10, two important immunomudulatory cytokines are induced by different molecules or components of CE, so that AgB could induce TGF-B and components of protoscolex, other than AgB and Ag5, could induce IL-10