Comparison of cytokine plasma levels in human African trypanosomiasis

Abstract

Summarybackground Immunological studies suggest that human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is associated with inflammatory responses. A better understanding of the complex cytokine interactions regulating HAT infections is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of generalized immunosuppression.method We determined levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a and interferon (IFN)-c protein levels in plasma samples from three groups of individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo: (i) HAT cases; (ii) seropositive individuals for whom parasite detection was negative and (ii) controls.results Plasma levels of six cytokines were significantly higher in HAT cases than in both controls (P < 0.003) and seropositive individuals (P < 0.016). IL-2 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.02) in the seropositive group than in the control one.conclusion Human African trypanosomiasis leads to the development of strong cytokine responses, indicating the potential involvement of IL-2 and IL-10 in the phenomenon of seropositivity without parasitological confirmation. This strongly suggests the involvement of immunity in this particular aspect of HAT epidemiology.keywords gamma interferon, human African trypanosomiasis, interleukin, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, tumour necrosis factor-alpha

Prototypical anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 prevents loss of IGF-I-induced myogenin protein expression caused by IL-1β

“…Whereas high concentrations of recombinant IL-10 up to 300 ng/ml are commonly used for in vitro and ex vivo experiments (5,20,28,31,38,59), the in vitro endogenous expression of IL-10 rarely exceeds 1 ng/ml, even when cells are stimulated with high concentrations of LPS (100 -1,000 ng/ml) (24,47). Similarly, endogenous IL-10 concentration is even lower in plasma of humans afflicted with various diseases, such as malaria (15) and human African trypanosomiasis (11), or in healthy males injected with 4 ng/kg LPS (13). We utilized a low, more physiologically relevant concentration of IL-10 (10 ng/ml) to evaluate how it regulates IL-1␤-induced signaling activity in myoblasts.…”

Human/Vector Relationships During Human African Trypanosomiasis: Initial Screening of Immunogenic Salivary Proteins of Glossina Species

“…The study was conducted using sera from individuals living in the HAT-endemic area of Bandundu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 21 The status of 74 individuals included in the study was defined using serologic (card agglutination trypanosoma tests for T. b .gambiense and trypanolysis test), parasitologic, and molecular (polymerase chain reaction) investigations. 22,23 Stage diagnosis was carried out for all sleeping sickness cases (n ‫ס‬ 19), by counting white blood cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).…”

The miRNA and mRNA Signatures of Peripheral Blood Cells in Humans Infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

“…Elevated interferon gamma levels have been seen in both T. gambiense [52], [53] and T rhodesiense [54] patients. Increases in TNF alpha have been seen in T. gambiense patients [53], [55], [56] and in vervet monkeys infected with T. rhodesiense [57].…”

“…Increases in TNF alpha have been seen in T. gambiense patients [53], [55], [56] and in vervet monkeys infected with T. rhodesiense [57]. It is therefore interesting that miR-144* was decreased in most HAT patients, since miR-144* has been reported to be involved in the inhibition of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production and T-cell proliferation [58].…”