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Evaluation of the Local and Peripheral Immune Responses in Patients with Cystic Echinococcosis

Authors :
Linda Petrone
Saeid Najafi-Fard
Laura Falasca
Settimia Sbarra
Antonella Teggi
Emanuele Nicastri
Lucia Rosalba Grillo
Mirco Burocchi
Giuseppe Maria Ettorre
Alessandra Ludovisi
Daniele Colombo
Franca Del Nonno
Delia Goletti
Source :
Pathogens, Vol 13, Iss 6, p 477 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) cysts may persist for decades because of immune modulation mechanisms. Here, we characterize the cysts and the blood immune responses in patients with CE. Methods: We enrolled 61 patients with CE and 19 control subjects. We received tissue samples from seven patients with CE and a control subject requiring liver cystectomy. The immunohistochemistry evaluation of the immune cell subtypes and cytokines in the pericysts and surrounding liver and the antigen B (AgB)-specific response analysis of whole blood were performed. Results: In CE, the pericyst and the surrounding liver parenchyma showed aggregates of CD3+ T lymphocytes, mainly CD4+. B lymphocyte aggregates were present in the liver tissue. Monocytes/granulocytes were rarely observed. Th2 cytokine expression was scarce, whereas IFN-γ expression was present in the CE tissues. The control subject did not show an inflammatory infiltrate. The IL-4-specific response to AgB was increased in the patients with CE compared to the control, and this result was confirmed in a larger cohort (p = 0.003), whereas the IFN-γ-response was similar between the two groups (p = 0.5570). Conclusion: In patients with CE, CD4+ lymphocytes infiltrate the pericyst and the surrounding liver tissue with a low IL-4/IL-13 expression level and a moderate IFN-γ expression level; moreover, an IL-4 parasite-specific response is detected in the periphery. These results support adventitia involvement in CE immunopathogenesis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20760817
Volume :
13
Issue :
6
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Pathogens
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7c1d748232c74f8eb51c9d670daca895
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060477