The lack of myelin in the mutanttaieprat induces a differential immune response related to protection to the human parasiteTrichinella spiralis

Abstract

24Taiep rat is a myelin mutant with a progressive motor syndrome characterized by tremor, 25 ataxia, immobility episodes, epilepsy and paralysis of the hindlimbs, accompanied with differential 26 expression of interleukins and their receptors that correlated with the progressive demyelination that 27 characterize this mutant. Thus, the taiep rat is a suitable model to study neuroimmune alterations.28 The aim of this study was to investigate the immune alterations present in the mutant taiep rat during 29 the acute infection with Trichinella spiralis. Our results show that there is an important decrease in 30 the number of intestinal larvae in the taiep rat when compared to the Sprague-Dawley control rats. 31 We also found differences in the percentage of innate and adaptive immune cell profile in the 32 mesenteric lymphatic nodes and the spleen associated to the lack of myelin in the taiep rat. Finally, a 33 clear pro-inflammatory cytokine pattern was seen in the infected taiep rat, which may explain the 34 decrease in larvae number. These results sustain the theory that neuroimmune interaction is a 35 fundamental process capable of modulating the immune response, particularly against the parasite 36 Trichinella spiralis in a model of progressive demyelination that could be an important mechanism in 37 autoimmune diseases and parasite infection. 39Author summary 40 The complex communication among the brain and the immune system may be certainly 41 altered during an infection and may be determinant in the resolution of this. We analyze the immune 42 response to a parasite in a rat model in which a demyelinization process occur naturally and found 43 that parasite loads were reduced when comparing with control subjects and this was accompanied to 44 changes in the systemic immune response.3 45 Introduction 46The interaction of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems is crucial in the maintenance 47 of homeostasis in vertebrates and it is absolutely vital in mammals [1]. Moreover, hormones and 48 neurotransmitters present in the immune cell microenvironment can restrict their autonomy, probably 49 by acting on receptors of these neuroendocrine factors [2]. Therefore, efficient communication 50 among these three systems implies the existence of afferent and efferent pathways, constituting a 51 complex feedback system that regulates an adequate response in base of different insults. 52Alterations of this network trigger pathologies that involve all the system components. In 53 recent years, information on the multiple functions of the immune system has expanded remarkably;54 one of these functions has been biological adaptation through elimination of pathogens and foreign 55 cells from the organism [3]. All functions require delicate control systems, which will allow 56 adaptation of the organism to different physiological and pathological situations, which will face it a 57 longer life. To meet this end, interaction with nervous and endocrine systems of the organism is 58 necessary [3]. This interaction is const...