Cysticerci drive dendritic cells to promote in vitro and in vivo Tregs differentiation

Clin Dev Immunol. 2013:2013:981468. doi: 10.1155/2013/981468. Epub 2013 May 23.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in immune homeostasis. Treg induction is a strategy that parasites have evolved to modulate the host's inflammatory environment, facilitating their establishment and permanence. In human Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NC), the concurrence of increased peripheral and central Treg levels and their capacity to inhibit T cell activation and proliferation support their role in controlling neuroinflammation. This study is aimed at identifing possible mechanisms of Treg induction in human NC. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) from healthy human donors, cocultivated with autologous CD4(+) naïve cells either in the presence or absence of cysticerci, promoted CD25(high)Foxp3+ Treg differentiation. An increased Treg induction was observed when cysticerci were present. Moreover, an augmentation of suppressive-related molecules (SLAMF1, B7-H1, and CD205) was found in parasite-induced DC differentiation. Increased Tregs and a higher in vivo DC expression of the regulatory molecules SLAMF1 and CD205 in NC patients were also found. SLAMF1 gene was downregulated in NC patients with extraparenchymal cysticerci, exhibiting higher inflammation levels than patients with parenchymal parasites. Our findings suggest that cysticerci may modulate DC to favor a suppressive environment, which may help parasite establishment, minimizing the excessive inflammation, which may lead to tissue damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • B7-H1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-H1 Antigen / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / parasitology
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Neurocysticercosis / immunology*
  • Neurocysticercosis / parasitology*
  • Neurocysticercosis / pathology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / parasitology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Taenia solium / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD274 protein, human
  • DEC-205 receptor
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • SLAMF1 protein, human
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1