Abstract
Interleukin (IL-)7 and thyroxin (T4) favor Schistosoma mansoni development. Their effect is similar, rather than identical; moreover, cotreatment acts synergistically on parasites. This questioned a common mediator to their action, which we hypothesized was host glucose metabolism. Infection with S. mansoni resulted in an early peak in glycemia immediately followed by a peak of insulinemia (D7-21). In IL-7 + T4 cotreated infected animals, the peak of insulin was abrogated. We further assessed the consequences of experimentally induced glucose- or insulin-level variations on parasite development. Insulin treatment from day 14 to day 21 post-infection (PI) led to increased worm burden and parasite size, thus mimicking the effect of T4 on schistosome development. Interestingly, insulin treatment did not modify glycemia yet abrogated the hyperinsulinemia, normally occurring during infection. Finally, these treatments were associated with an alteration of the expression of parasite genes involved in glucose uptake. These experiments characterize the elaborate links between parasite and host metabolism and their reciprocal influences.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biomphalaria
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Cricetinae
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Glucose / metabolism*
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Glucose / pharmacology
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Glucose Tolerance Test
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Glucose Transporter Type 1 / genetics
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Glucose Transporter Type 1 / metabolism
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Glucose Transporter Type 4 / genetics
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Glucose Transporter Type 4 / metabolism
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Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System / genetics
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Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System / metabolism
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Hexokinase / genetics
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Hexokinase / metabolism
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Host-Parasite Interactions
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Hyperglycemia / metabolism
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Insulin / blood
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Insulin / metabolism
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Insulin / pharmacology
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Interleukin-7 / pharmacology
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Interleukin-7 / physiology*
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Mesocricetus
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) / genetics
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Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
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Schistosoma mansoni / drug effects
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Schistosoma mansoni / growth & development*
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Schistosoma mansoni / metabolism
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Schistosomiasis mansoni / metabolism
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Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology*
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Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
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Thyroxine / pharmacology
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Thyroxine / physiology*
Substances
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Glucose Transporter Type 1
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Glucose Transporter Type 4
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Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System
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Insulin
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Interleukin-7
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RNA, Messenger
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Hexokinase
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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SmRTK-1, Schistosoma mansoni
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Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)
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Glucose
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Thyroxine