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. 2022 Mar-Apr;16(2):3-11.

Modulation of mice immune responses against Schistosoma mansoni infection with anti-schistosomiasis drugs: Role of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma

Osama F Sharaf  1 , Ahmed A Ahmed  2 , Asmaa F Ibrahim  1 , Ali Shariq  3 , Abdullah S Alkhamiss  4 , Ruqaih Alghsham  4 , Sami A Althwab  5 , Sultan A Alghaniam  6 , Fahad A Alhumaydhi  7 , Rana Alghamdi  8 , Ahmad Alshomar  9 , Tasleem Alabdullatif  10 , Abdulrahman Alkhulayfi  4 , Abdulrhman A Alghunaim  11 , Waleed Al Abdulmonem  4
Affiliations

Modulation of mice immune responses against Schistosoma mansoni infection with anti-schistosomiasis drugs: Role of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma

Osama F Sharaf et al. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2022 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) is endemic in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. This study investigated the modulation of immune response against S. mansoni through estimation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Th2 cytokine) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) (Th1 cytokine) under the effect of anti-schistosomal drugs.

Methods: Laboratory bred female albino mice (n = 120) were divided into the following groups: untreated mice, S. mansoni infected mice, S. mansoni infected mice treated with artemisinin (ART), arachidonic acid (ARA), nifedipine or praziquantel (PZQ). Levels of IL-4 and INF-γ cytokines in the serum samples of treated and untreated mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were further validated by measuring the mRNA levels IL-4 and INF-γ using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Anti-schistosomiasis drugs ART and ARA increased the levels of Th2 cytokine IL-4 (P < 0.05), whereas PZQ drug decreased the response of IL-4 (P < 0.05). However, nifedipine was found to be ineffective in modulating the response of IL-4 (P > 0.05). As far as Th-1 cytokine IFN γ was concerned, only PZQ increased its levels (P < 0.05), whereas other tested anti-schistosomiasis drugs; ART, ARA, and nifedipine were found to be infective (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: These findings indicated that anti-schistosomiasis drugs ART, ARA, and PZQ play a role in the modulation of expression of Th2 cytokines. Whereas, only PZQ may play a role in the modulation of Th1 cytokines. These findings provide a scope for the formulation of novel anti-schistosomal drugs as well as in the therapeutic management of patients infected with S. mansoni.

Keywords: Arachidonic acid; Schistosoma mansoni; artemisinin; interferon-gamma; interleukin-4; nifedipine; praziquantel.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Gene expression of interleukin-4 of treatment groups compared to nontreated control group (relative to equivalent glyceraldehyde3-phosphate dehydrogenase), using the 2-DDCT method. (a) 21 days post-infection, (b) 42 days post-infection
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gene expression of interferon-gamma of treatment groups compared to nontreated control group (relative to equivalent glyceraldehyde3-phosphate dehydrogenase), using the 2-DDCT method. (a) 21 days post-infection, (b) 42 days post-infection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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