Association of IL-9, IL-10, and IL-17 Cytokines With Hepatic Fibrosis in Human Schistosoma mansoni Infection

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.779534
• Publication Date: 2021-12-14T07:54:27Z
• Authors: Karine Garcez Sch...; Fabio Jorge Ramal...; Mário Adriano Santos; Carla Virgínia Vi...; Fabricia Alvisi d...; Alex Vianey Calla...; Camilla Natália O...; Lucas Sousa Magal...; Rodrigo Anselmo C...; Frederico Santana...; Luciana Benevides; Vanessa Carregaro; João Santana Silva; Hugo Leite de Far...; Daniel Alvarenga ...; Ângela Maria da S...; Roque Pacheco de ...; Márcio Bezerra-Sa...; Amélia Ribeiro de...
• Keywords: Adult; Liver Cirrhosis; 0301 basic medicine; Adolescent; Immunology; Host-Parasite Interactions; 03 medical and health sciences; schistosomiasis; Animals; Humans; hepatic fibrosis; Lectins, C-Type; Child; Cells, Cultured; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-9; RC581-607; IL-9; Interleukin-10; 3. Good health; IL-17; Antigens, Helminth; Case-Control Studies; IL-10; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Female; Immunologic diseases. Allergy; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Biomarkers

This is a case series study to evaluate immunological markers associated with schistosomiasis advanced fibrosis, including 69 patients from an endemic area from the State of Sergipe and from the Hepatology Service of the University Hospital in Sergipe, Brazil. Hepatic fibrosis was classified based on Niamey protocol for ultrasonography (US). Immune response toSchistosoma mansoniantigens was evaluated by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these patients with either adult worm (SWAP—10 μg/ml) or egg (SEA—10 μg/ml) antigens or purified protein derivative of turberculin (PPD—10 μg/ml) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA—1 μg/ml) for 72 h. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-17 were measured in these supernatants by ELISA and IL-9 by Luminex. Single nucleotide polymorphisms inIL-17,IL10, andCD209genes were genotyped using TaqMan probe by qPCR. Higher levels of IL-9, IL-10, and IL-17 were found in PBMC supernatants of patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis. Direct correlations were detected between IL-9 and IL-17 levels with US spleen sizes, portal vein diameters, and periportal thickening. TheCD209rs2287886 AG polymorphism patients produce higher IL-17 levels. Together, these data suggest a role of these cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of advanced fibrosis in human schistosomiasis.