Cytokine mRNA expressions in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic amoebiasis patients

Abstract

Infection with Entamoeba histolytica results in high mortality worldwide. Studies on the cytokine response in symptomatic and asymptomatic amoebiasis (caused by E. histolytica, the pathogenic species and E. dispar, the non-pathogenic species) subjects and their correlation with symptomatology are lacking. The present study reports the cytokine response (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta) in such subjects as measured by RT-PCR. The results showed significantly (< 0.05) higher expressions of IL-10 and TGF-beta in the symptomatic group as compared to the asymptomatic and healthy controls. The cytokine profile indicated the role of suppressive immune response in symptomatic amoebiasis patients.

Serum cytokine levels in human ascariasis and toxocariasis

“…From a study conducted in Uganda, it is concluded that regular de-worming resulting in parasite clearance may prevent the dominance of the Th2 immune response, as well as reduce immune activation and alleviate cell energy, all of which favour infection by HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and could impair the HIV vaccine trials (Fincham, 2001). Significantly higher expressions of IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta were observed in symptomatic amoebiasis patients than in asymtpomatic and healthy controls (Bansal et al 2005). …”

CCR9+ T cells contribute to the resolution of the inflammatory response in a mouse model of intestinal amoebiasis

“…CD4 + T cell depletion of infected mice diminished the production of IL-4 and IL-13, contributing to the resolution of experimental infection (Houpt et al 2002). Moreover, increased levels of IFN-␥, TNF-␣, IL-4 and IL-6 cytokines have been identified in amoebic colitis patients (Bansal et al 2005;SierraPuente et al 2009). …”

Fulminant Amoebic Colitis: Role of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

“…Another possible mechanism is based on the immunosuppressive effects of IL-10 from epithelial cells on leukocytes (García-Zepeda et al, 2007). Reports in the literature indicate that patients with invasive amebiasis (colitis and AHA) have a greater expression of IL-10 by mononuclear cells of peripheral blood (Bansal et al, 2005).…”

“…IL-10, a cytokine of the Th2 response with pleiotropic functions, has immunosuppressive properties and acts in various immunological settings. The augmenting of this cytokine in amebiasis is probably responsible for enabling ample amebic invasion of intestine as well as liver (Bansal et al, 2005;Sierra-Puente et al, 2009). Sierra-Puente et al (2009 were the first to publish that IL-10 is produced by epithelial cells in the intestine of patients with FAC.…”