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Cytokine expression in hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini
Author(s) -
JITTIMANEE J.,
SERMSWAN R. W.,
PUAPAIROJ A.,
MALEEWONG W.,
WONGRATANACHEEWIN S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00929.x
Subject(s) - opisthorchis viverrini , biology , opisthorchis , immunology , opisthorchiasis , cytokine , immune system , mesocricetus , hamster , liver fluke , helminths , pathology , endocrinology , medicine
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.