Splenic autotransplantation restores IL-17 production and antibody response to Streptococcus pneumoniae in splenectomized mice

Abstract

The high incidence of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae can be reduced by splenic autotransplantation. In this study the effect of splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation on the immune response to S. pneumoniae infection was investigated. Balb/c mice were divided into three groups: splenectomized (SP), splenectomized and autotransplanted (AT), and sham operated control (CT). Five days post-infection the serum antibody levels were measured and the number of S. pneumoniae CFU, neutrophil accumulation and IL-17 production in the liver and lungs were investigated. SP mice showed greater number of bacteria in both organs and lower serum levels of S. pneumoniae-specific IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies. IL-17 production and neutrophil recruitment to the liver and lungs were lower in SP mice, in comparison with both the CT and the AT groups. Levels of S. pneumoniae-specific IgM, CFU counts, neutrophil accumulation and IL-17 production did not differ significantly between the CT and AT groups. These results suggest that splenic autotransplantation restores the capacity of splenectomized mice to fight S. pneumoniae infection.

Conventional NK Cells Can Produce IL-22 and Promote Host Defense in Klebsiella pneumoniae Pneumonia

“…Th17-cell cytokines, which are critical for protection against various extracellular pathogens, have been shown to promote host defense against pulmonary infections (1-5). Roles for the Th17-cell cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 in protection against extracellular bacteria in the lung have been best characterized in the mouse model of pneumonia induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae (1, 2, 6).…”

Critical mass of splenic autotransplant needed for the development of phagocytic activity in rats

“…Clinical and experimental investigations have shown that, after a certain period, autotransplanted splenic tissue presents morphological regeneration and leads to the recovery of some functions of the spleen [3,6,8,10,12,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. However, it is of fundamental importance to determine the amount of splenic tissue to be autotransplanted -critical mass -for the occurrence of functional regeneration.…”

Splenectomy Increases Atherosclerotic Lesions in Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mice

“…The spleen functions as a blood filter that removes old and abnormal blood cells, produces antibodies, and facilitates phagocytosis and elimination of foreign antigens [2,4]. Splenectomy renders individuals more susceptible to infections, particularly by bacteria such as Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, and Staphylococcus, organisms that are typically removed through opsonization and phagocytosis [2,4,5].…”

“…Because of the growing recognition of its importance, splenic preservation is becoming more desirable in the treatment of splenic injuries [5,6]. Several techniques that preserve the integral or partial spleen have been described, such as splenorrhaphy, partial splenectomy, subtotal splenectomy, arterial ligatures, application of hemostatic agents, and splenic implants [7,8].…”