Search results for "IASI"

Systemic Candidiasis and TLR2 Agonist Exposure Impact the Antifungal Response of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells.

2018

We have previously demonstrated that Candida albicans induces differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) toward the myeloid lineage both in vitro and in vivo in a TLR2- and Dectin-1-dependent manner, giving rise to functional macrophages. In this work, we used an ex vivo model to investigate the functional consequences for macrophages derived from HSPCs in vivo-exposed to Pam3CSK4 (a TLR2 agonist) or C. albicans infection. Short in vivo treatment of mice with Pam3CSK4 results in a tolerized phenotype of ex vivo HSPC-derived macrophages, whereas an extended Pam3CSK4 treatment confers a trained phenotype. Early during candidiasis, HSPCs give rise to macrophages trained…

2016

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that is associated with aberrant activity of immune cells and keratinocytes. In mice, topical application of TLR7/8 agonist IMQ leads to a skin disorder resembling human psoriasis. Recently, it was shown that the IL-23/ IL-17 axis plays a deciding role in the pathogenesis of human psoriasis, as well as in the mouse model of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin disease. A consequence of IL-17A production in the skin includes increased expression and production of IL-6, resulting in the recruitment of neutrophils and other myelomonocytic cells to the site of inflammation. To further investigate and characterize the exact role of IL-6 signaling in myelomonocy…

NFATc1 supports imiquimod-induced skin inflammation by suppressing IL-10 synthesis in B cells

2016

Epicutaneous application of Aldara cream containing the TLR7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ) to mice induces skin inflammation that exhibits many aspects of psoriasis, an inflammatory human skin disease. Here we show that mice depleted of B cells or bearing interleukin (IL)-10-deficient B cells show a fulminant inflammation upon IMQ exposure, whereas ablation of NFATc1 in B cells results in a suppression of Aldara-induced inflammation. In vitro, IMQ induces the proliferation and IL-10 expression by B cells that is blocked by BCR signals inducing NFATc1. By binding to HDAC1, a transcriptional repressor, and to an intronic site of the Il10 gene, NFATc1 suppresses IL-10 expression that dampens the pro…

Efficiency of Target Larvicides Is Conditioned by ABC-Mediated Transport in the Zoonotic Nematode Anisakis pegreffii

2018

Anisakiasis is among the most significant emerging foodborne parasitoses contracted through consumption of thermally unprocessed seafood harboring infective Anisakis species larvae. The efficacy of the currently applied anthelminthic therapy in humans and in model organisms has not proven sufficient, so alternative solutions employing natural compounds combined with chemical inhibitors should be explored. By testing toxicity of the natural monoterpenes nerolidol and farnesol and the conventional anthelminthics abamectin and levamisole in the presence/absence of MK-571 and Valspodar, which inhibit the ABC transporter proteins multidrug resistance protein (MRP-like) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp),…

Parasite Clearance in Leishmaniasis in Resistant Animals Is Independent of the IL-23/IL-17A Axis

2015

Morphological and molecular characterization of Paragonimus caliensis Little, 1968 (Trematoda: Paragonimidae) from Medellin and Pichinde, Colombia

2018

Paragonimiasis is a subacute to chronic inflammatory granulomatous lung disease caused by the genus Paragonimus. In Latin America Paragonimus mexicanus Miyazaki & Ishii, 1968 is the only confirmed species to cause human infections. Paragonimus caliensis Little, 1968 is an uncommon species often regarded as a synonym of P. mexicanus. Recently, the study of two types of Paragonimus metacercariae from Costa Rica has provided new molecular and morphological evidence that P. caliensis is a separate species from P. mexicanus. In the present study, molecular, morphological and phylogenetic tools have been used to characterize two populations of Paragonimus located at west of Medellin, Antioquia an…

Fasciola spp: Mapping of the MF6 epitope and antigenic analysis of the MF6p/HDM family of heme-binding proteins

2017

MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted antigens of Fasciola hepatica. Orthologs of this protein (MF6p/HDMs) also exist in other causal agents of important foodborne trematodiasis, such as Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Paragonimus westermani. Considering that MF6p/FhHDM-1 is relevant for heme homeostasis in Fasciola and was reported to have immunomodulatory properties, this protein is expected to be a useful target for vaccination. Thus, in this study we mapped the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 and evaluated its antigenicity in sheep. The sequenc…

On the presence and immunoregulatory functions of extracellular microRNAs in the trematode Fasciola hepatica.

2017

Summary Liver flukes represent a paraphyletic group of endoparasitic flatworms that significantly affect man either indirectly due to economic damage on livestock or directly as pathogens. A range of studies have focussed on how these macroscopic organisms can evade the immune-system and live inside a hostile environment such as the mammalian liver and bile-ducts. Recently, microRNAs, a class of short non-coding gene-regulators, have been proposed as likely candidates to play roles in this scenario. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in development and pathogenicity and are highly conserved between metazoans: identical miRNAs can be found in flatworms and mammalians. Interestingly, miRNAs a…

Potential Influence of Helminth Molecules on COVID-19 Pathology

2020

In recent months, the parasitology research community has been tasked with investigation of the influence of parasite coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Herein, we share our approach to analyze the effect of the trematode Fasciola hepatica as a modulator of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and of COVID-19 pathology.

The activity of Artemisia spp. and their constituents against Trypanosomiasis.

2018

Abstract Background Trypanosomiasis belongs to the neglected tropical diseases. Although standard therapies are available, the safety and efficacy of current synthetic drugs are limited due to the development of drug resistance and adverse side effects. Purpose Artemisia annua and artemisinin are not only active against Plasmodia, but also other protozoa. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on species of the genus Artemisia and their phytochemicals regarding their activity against trypanosomes. Study design A PubMed search for “Artemisia/Artemisinin and Trypanosoma” has been conducted for literature until December 2017. Results Interestingly, not only A. annua L. and its active principle,…