Circulating fibrosis markers, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil protein X in patients withWuchereria bancroftiinfection: association with clinical status

Abstract

Summary :We measured the concentrations of several circulating fibrosis markers (type I collagen I, type III procollagen, hyaluronan) and eosinophil granule proteins (ECP and EPX) in lymphatic filariasis patients to investigate their relationship with clinical, parasitological and immunological data. This study was conducted in Polynesian patients with various stages of the disease (acute lymphangitis, chyluria, hydrocoele, elephantiasis), a closely related microbial lymphangitis and endemic controls. We observed modifications of the different markers in this pathology. Serum type I collagen and PIIINP were decreased. Serum hyaluronan, linked to perilymphatic granulomatous inflammation, was significantly increased in acute lymphangitis and elephantiasis patients. Serum ECP was also increased, at the limit of significance in our sample, in elephantiasis patients. These two last markers, already validated in another helminth disease, schistosomiasis, have potential interest in terms of follow-up of morbidity in these parasitic diseases. Résumé : MARQUEURS DE FIBROSE ET PROTÉINES DE L'ÉOSINOPHILE DANS LA FILARIOSE LYMPHATIQUE

Human skin fibrosis: up‐regulation of collagen type III gene transcription in the fibrotic skin nodules of lower limb lymphoedema

“…Even though biopsies were taken during the end‐stage of the disease, the possible difference in the turnover rate of COL‐1 and COL‐3 may be a contributing factor to the appearance of equal levels of COL‐1 and COL‐3 proteins as observed in our studies. This would suggest that localised accumulation of collagen‐derived peptides in body fluid could be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the treatment .…”

“…Several studies indicate excessive production of COL‐1 or COL‐3 as the cause of fibrosis in the skin of mouse tail , rabbit ear , in dermal fibroblasts , human lung or heart and kidney of chimpanzee . Comparatively, few reports are available on the pathogenesis of fibrosis in human lymphoedema and most of them mark COL‐1 as the key fibrotic marker. Separately, a ‘priority‐setting partnership’ established at the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD), India, highlighted the need for scientific research exploring the cellular changes of lymphoedema with special emphasis on Integrative Medicine (IM) treatment .…”

“…Comparatively, few reports are available on the pathogenesis of fibrosis in human lymphoedema [15] and most of them mark COL-1 as the key fibrotic marker. Separately, a 'priority-setting partnership' established at the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD), India, highlighted the need for scientific research exploring the cellular changes of lymphoedema with special emphasis on Integrative Medicine (IM) treatment [16].…”

Eosinophils in filarial infections: Inducers of protection or pathology?

“…However, in W. bancrofti patients, the pathology was rather connected to decreased serum fibrosis markers and increased levels of hyaluronan, while serum ECP and EPO concentrations were not altered among patients with lymphatic pathology compared to asymptomatic patients. An increase in ECP levels at the limit of significance was observed in patients with elephantiasis ( 100 ).…”

“…bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. Thus, ECP and EDN serum levels are biomarkers reflecting an ongoing filarial disease ( 87 , 100 ).…”