Expression of the surface antigens of lymphocytes and the levels of cytokines in mice infected with Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is an opportunistic fungus that causes invasive aspergillosis. Determining the immune changes during A. fumigatus infection and the factors leading to such changes clearly will make it possible to prevent the spread of the infection and to provide new strategies in the treatment of infection. Thus, the present study aims at determining the changes of lymphocyte surface antigens which develop during A. fumigatus infection and the role of cytokines in immune response. Methodology: The expression of the surface antigens of lymphocytes was analysed by flow cytometry and the cytokine levels were determined by ELISA in a mouse model of aspergillosis. Results: It was observed that in mice infected by A. fumigatus the percentage of CD19+ B cells and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased when compared to those in noninfected mice cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that Th2 type cytokines are important in the pathogenesis of A. fumigatus infection. Humoral immunity is considered to be effective during A. fumigatus infection because of the increase in Th2 type response.

Rodent Models of Invasive Aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus: Still a Long Path toward Standardization

“…This unit is likely more appropriate than CFU per organ or total CFU per animal. By the way, it was surprising to note that Hummel et al and Fidan et al attempted to perform blood cultures (Hummel et al, 2004; Fidan et al, 2008), whereas it is well-known that Aspergillus genus never grows in blood culture bottles. In order to study disease progression and diagnosis (Becker et al, 2000; Loeffler et al, 2002), detection of GM antigen and β-D-glucans is probably useful to make correlation of animal data with clinical results.…”