Maternal schistosomiasis: IL-2, IL-10 and regulatory T lymphocytes to unrelated antigen in adult offspring mice

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We evaluated IL-10, IL-2 and regulatory T cells (Treg), in response to ovalbumin (OA), in offspring from schistosomotic mouse mothers. METHODS: We used animals born (BIM) or suckled (SIM) from infected mothers; and mice born/suckled from infected (BSIM) or non-infected mothers (CONTROL). After OA+adjuvant immunization, spleen cells were cultured, with or without OA, and doubly marked for cytometry. RESULTS: BIM showed fewer CD4+/IL-2+ and more B220+/IL-10+ cells, whereas the SIM group showed increased Treg frequency. BSIM had fewer B220+/IL-10+ and Treg cells. CONCLUSIONS: Separately, gestation or nursing induced immunosuppressive cells in infected mothers, but improved anti-OA immunity when combined.

Gestation and breastfeeding in schistosomotic mothers differently modulate the immune response of adult offspring to postnatal Schistosoma mansoni infection

Schistosoma mansoni antigens in the early life alter homologous and heterologous immunity during postnatal infections. We evaluate the immunity to parasite antigens and ovalbumin (OA) in adult mice born/suckled by schistosomotic mothers. Newborns were divided into: born (BIM), suckled (SIM) or born/suckled (BSIM) in schistosomotic mothers, and animals from noninfected mothers (control). When adults, the mice were infected and compared the hepatic granuloma size and cellularity. Some animals were OA + adjuvant immunised. We evaluated hypersensitivity reactions (HR), antibodies levels (IgG1/IgG2a) anti-soluble egg antigen and anti-soluble worm antigen preparation, and anti-OA, cytokine production, and CD4+FoxP3+T-cells by splenocytes. Compared to control group, BIM mice showed a greater quantity of granulomas and collagen deposition, whereas SIM and BSIM presented smaller granulomas. BSIM group exhibited the lowest levels of anti-parasite antibodies. For anti-OA immunity, immediate HR was suppressed in all groups, with greater intensity in SIM mice accompanied of the remarkable level of basal CD4+FoxP3+T-cells. BIM and SIM groups produced less interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-g. In BSIM, there was higher production of IL-10 and IFN-g, but lower levels of IL-4 and CD4+FoxP3+T-cells. Thus, pregnancy in schistosomotic mothers intensified hepatic fibrosis, whereas breastfeeding diminished granulomas in descendants. Separately, pregnancy and breastfeeding could suppress heterologous immunity; however, when combined, the responses could be partially restored in infected descendants.

Severity of atopic dermatitis and Ascaris lumbricoides infection: an evaluation of CCR4+ and CXCR3+ helper T cell frequency / Gravidade da dermatite atópica e infecção por Ascaris lumbricoides: uma avaliação da frequência de células T auxiliares CCR4+ e CXCR3+

INTRODUCTION: Ascaris lumbricoides-infected patients present lower prevalence of severe atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Peripheral blood of infected children with atopic dermatitis was assessed by flow cytometry of the frequency of Th1 and Th2 cells through the expression of CXCR3 and CCR4 chemokine receptors, respectively. RESULTS: Helminth-free patients with atopic dermatitis presented a high frequency of CCR4+Th2 cells. Parasitized patients with atopic dermatitis showed a lower frequency of CXCR3+Th1 cells compared to infected individuals only. CONCLUSIONS: Ascariasis modifies the blood traffic of Th2 cells in atopic dermatitis patients, while the allergic disease down-regulates the traffic of Th1 cells in parasitized patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Pacientes infectados com Ascaris lumbricoides apresentam menor prevalência de dermatite atópica grave. MÉTODOS: Sangue periférico de crianças infectadas com dermatite atópica foi analisado por citometria de fluxo quanto à frequência de células Th1 e Th2 pela expressão de receptores de quimiocina CXCR3 e CCR4, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Pacientes sem helmintos com dermatite atópica apresentaram alta frequência de células Th2CCR4+. Pacientes parasitados com dermatite atópica apresentaram menor frequência de células Th1CXCR3+ comparados aos indivíduos apenas infectados. CONCLUSÕES: Ascaridiases altera o tráfego sanguíneo de células Th2 em pacientes com dermatite atópica, enquanto a doença alérgica diminui o tráfego de células Th1 em pacientes parasitados.

Transferência passiva de anticorpos específicos para antígenos de Schistosoma mansoni em camundongos nascidos ou amamentados em mães esquistossomóticas / Passive transfer of Schistosoma mansoni antigens-specific antibodies in mice born or suckled by schistosomotic mothers

Objetivo - Estudos experimentais demonstraram que mães infectadas pelo Schistosoma mansoni modulam a imunidade para antígenos homólogos, dos descendentes adultos, através do contato prévio com anticorpos anti-Schistosoma durante o período pré-natal junto à amamentação. Descendentes adultos de mães esquistossomóticas apresentaram alteração na imunidade para um antígeno heterólogo, Ovalbumina (OA): amamentação induziu maior produção de imunoglobulinas anti-OA, enquanto a gestação levou à supressão destas imunoglobulinas. A fim de esclarecer a participação dos anticorpos anti-Schistosoma maternos na alteração da imunidade dos descendentes adultos, os anticorpos contra antígenos solúveis dos ovos (SEA) e dos vermes (SWAP) em descendentes gerados ou apenas amamentados em mães esquistossomóticas foram dosados. Métodos - Camundongos recém-nascidos foram divididos em: animais nascidos de Mães Infectadas (MI) e amamentados em mães não-infectadas; animais nascidos de mães não-infectadas e Amamentados em mães Infectadas (AI); animais nascidos e amamentados em mães infectadas (MIAI) ou não-infectadas (Controle). Os animais foram sangrados 21, 45, 60 e 77 dias, após nascimento e os isótipos IgG1 e IgG2a dosados, no plasma, por ELISA. Resultados - Foi detectado IgG1, mas não IgG2a, principalmente anti-SEA, tanto no grupo MI como nos grupos AI e MIAI. A transferência pela amamentação foi mais efetiva (maiores níveis e manutenção durante a cinética). Conclusões - O isótipo IgG1 anti-SEA presente no grupo MI, bem como no grupo AI, exclui a associação dos anticorpos antiparasita e melhora da imunidade heteróloga dos descendentes amamentados em mães esquistossomótica. Este estudo enfoca o importante papel da amamentação em transferir de forma eficaz anticorpos anti-SEA para indivíduos de área endêmica para esquistossomose.

Objective - Experimental studies have demonstrated that Schistosoma mansoni infected mothers modulate immunity to homologous antigen, in their adult offspring, through prior contact with anti-Schistosoma antibodies during the prenatal period plus breastfeeding. Adult offspring of schistosomotic mothers showed alterations in immunity to a heterologous antigen, ovalbumin (OA): breastfeeding induced higher production of anti-OA immunoglobulin, while the pregnancy led to suppression of this immunoglobulin. In order to study the participation of the maternal anti-Schistosoma antibodies and change in the heterologous immunity in adult offspring, antibodies against soluble egg antigen (SEA) and worms (SWAP) in offspring born or only breastfed by schistosomotic mothers were measured. Methods - Newborn mice were divided into: animals Born from Infected Mothers (BIM) suckled by non-infected mothers; animals from non-infected mothers Suckled by Infected Mothers (SIM); and mice Born and Suckled in Infected Mothers (BSIM) or non-infected (Control) mothers. The animals were bled 21,45, 60, 77 days, after birth, and IgG1 and IgG2a serum isotypes were measured by ELISA. Results - It was detected IgG1, but not IgG2a, mainly anti-SEA in a group BIM and in the groups SIM and BSIM. The transfer by breastfeeding was more effective (higher levels and maintenance during the kinetic). Conclusions - The anti-SEA IgG1 isotype detected in the group BIM, as well as, in the SIM, excludes the association of anti-parasite antibodies and the improvement of heterologous immunity in offspring nursed by schistosomotic mothers. This study highlights the important role of breastfeeding as effective way to transfer anti-SEA antibodies for individuals from an endemic area for schistosomiasis.