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Effect of schistosomiasis on CX 3 CR 1‐expressing mononuclear phagocytes in the ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes of the mouse
Author(s) -
Alpaerts K.,
Buckinx R.,
Cools N.,
Heylen M.,
Nullens S.,
Berneman Z.,
De Winter B.,
Adriaensen D.,
Van Nassauw L.,
Timmermans J.P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.12658
Subject(s) - schistosoma mansoni , mesenteric lymph nodes , antigen , immune system , schistosomiasis , lamina propria , immunology , biology , ileum , lymph , schistosoma , flow cytometry , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , pathology , medicine , helminths , epithelium , endocrinology , genetics
Background Intestinal dendritic cells ( DC s) maintain immune homeostasis, only initiating an active immune response against invading pathogens. However, little information is available on the reaction of mononuclear phagocytes ( MNP ) to intestinal trematode infection, a reaction equally important in helminth‐based therapies. The CD 11c + CX 3 CR 1 + F4/80 − DC s in the ileal lamina propria ( LP ) of the mouse were proven to migrate to the mesenteric lymph nodes ( MLN s). We analyzed all MNP subsets present in the mouse LP and MLN s, under steady‐state conditions and during acute Schistosoma mansoni ‐induced inflammation. Furthermore, we studied the uptake of schistosomal antigens by MNP in vivo in the LP and MLN s. Methods Using a combination of immunohistochemistry and multiparametric flow cytometry, we investigated distributional changes of the MNP during acute intestinal schistosomiasis. Next, S. mansoni ‐derived products, i.e., S. mansoni soluble worm proteins (Sm SWP ) and S. mansoni soluble egg antigens (Sm SEA ) were intraperitoneally injected into CX 3 CR 1 +/ GFP C57BL/6 mice and antigen uptake was analyzed using confocal microscopy. Key Results The CD 11c + CX 3 CR 1 + F4/80 − DC s significantly increased during intestinal schistosomiasis in the LP and MLN s. Only CX 3 CR 1‐expressing DC and MФ subsets, but not other LP DC s, are involved in both Sm SWP and Sm SEA antigen uptake and processing. Conclusions & inferences The significant upregulation of CD 11c + CX 3 CR 1 + F4/80 − DC s during intestinal schistosomiasis and the restriction of phagocytosis of parasitic antigens to CX 3 CR 1‐expresssing MNP indicate a crucial role for this immune cell niche in response to trematodiasis. These findings add insight into the functional specialization of LP immune cells and add to the understanding of cellular mechanisms behind helminth‐based therapies.