Analysis of cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β and nitric oxide in amniotic fluid and serum of pregnant women with toxoplasmosis in southern Brazil

Abstract

This study detected and compared the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β and nitric oxide (NO) in amniotic fluid (AF) and serum of pregnancies with acute toxoplasmosis, Southern Brazil. It also was compared the levels of the same mediators in the serum of pregnancies in acute and chronic toxoplasmosis with non-infected. Serological investigation, anti-T gondii IgM and IgG, of the 67 pregnancies was determined by Elisa MEIA. Forty two were uninfected, eight in chronic phase and 17 in acute phase. Among the acute phase, seven agreed to amniocentesis. The cytokines, in serum and in AF, were assessed by sandwich ELISA, and NO was estimated from the nitrite measurement with Griess reagent. The IFN-γ and TGF-β levels in the AF and blood were similar, while TNF-α levels was lower in the AF. On the other hand, NO was higher in the AF. Chronically infected pregnant women have showed lower levels of INF-γ than those in acute and uninfected pregnancies. The serological levels of TNF-α were lower in pregnancies with toxoplasmosis, when compared with non-infected. TGF-β levels were higher in pregnancies in acute phase when compared with uninfected or chronically infected. NO in the serum of the infected had lower levels than those non-infected. In summary, higher concentrations of NO and lower levels of TNF-α were observed in the AF than in the serum of acute pregnancies, while TGF-β e INF-γ levels were similar in both biological material. In the serum of infected pregnancies was observed decrease in inflammatory mediators and increase of TGF-β.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in Toxoplasma gondii seropositive Hispanic women

“…Alternatively, T. gondii seropositivity may be a biomarker of an immunological state that predisposes to poor pregnancy outcomes. Chronic infection in pregnancy is known to be associated with changes in cytokines and chemokines 60,61 . Bradyzoites have a large number of genes expressed during the chronic stage, which promote the chronicity of the infection by blocking transcription of inflammatory cytokine genes 62 …”

Nitric oxide metabolism in the human placenta during aberrant maternal inflammation

“…1997, 1998a,b; Marchioro et al . 2018). However, in contrast to our hypothesis, we did not observe any increase in NOx levels that would be attributable to villitis of unknown aetiology in either normotensive or pre‐eclamptic pregnancies.…”

The imbalance in the relationship between inflammatory and regulatory cytokines during gestational toxoplasmosis can be harmful to fetuses: A systematic review

“…This syndrome caused by T. gondii is responsible for the systemic activation of the fetal and maternal immune system ( 42 ). Distinct biomarkers work in a Th1/Th2/Th17 balance thought cytokines (IFN-g, TNF, TGF-beta, IL-1beta, Il-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-22, IL-33, etc), chemokines/receptors (CCL2, CCL22, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCR3, etc), as well as by Toll-like receptors, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors, and inflammasomes (eg.NLRP3, NLRP5 and NAIP1), defining the pathogenesis behind T. gondii infection during pregnancy ( 19 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 35 , 38 , 46 – 48 ). Beyond this, it is also remarkable to highlight the importance of the genetic variability of T. gondii identified in different continents/countries and, how variability can dictate the prognostic of gestation ( 30 – 32 ) .…”

“…This study highlighted the importance of IL-1β in controlling T. gondii , but also highlighted that this role needs to be regulated to avoid damage to the infected hosts. In this sense, IFN-γ and TNF also elevated in women with GT to control T. gondii in the initial phase of infection, but partial regulation is also crucial to ensure fetus protection ( 46 ).…”