Response of T Regulatory Cells and Th17 to the Immunization with Fatty Acid Binding Protein Antigen in Murine Schistosomiasismansoni

Abstract

Among parasitic diseases infections, schistosomiasis is one of the most important diseases and is caused by various worm species of the genusSchistosoma.This study was planned to detect Treg and Th17 cells within the hepatic granulomas of infected mice in order to characterize their functions. Additionally, the role played by the Treg and Th17 cells in the prognosis of worm parasite-induced immunopathology will be investigated to test the possibility of exploiting the artificially enhanced induction of Treg cell activity. To achieve these goals, recombinant fatty acid binding protein (rFABP)was used for mice immunization prior to infection with S. mansonicercariae. All mice were sacrificed at 6, 8, 16 wks and the following parameters were assessed: parasitological investigations, analysis of the Treg cells, and Th17 subsets by flowcytometry, serum levels of IL10, IL17, TGFβ, IFNγ, TNFα,liver histology and granuloma measurement.In addition, expression of Foxp3 and retinoic acid receptor α (RORα) in granulomatous liver tissue was assessed. Statistical correlations between the granulomatous diameter and the other parameters were analyzed. Similarly, the correlations between the granuloma cell expression of Foxp3 and the rest of parameters under investigation were made.