A Leishmania infantum cytosolic tryparedoxin activates B cells to secrete interleukin-10 and specific immunoglobulin

Immunology. 2008 Apr;123(4):555-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2007.02725.x. Epub 2007 Nov 17.

Abstract

The immune evasion mechanisms of pathogenic trypanosomatids involve a multitude of phenomena such as the polyclonal activation of lymphocytes, cytokine modulation and the enhanced detoxification of oxygen reactive species. A trypanothione cascade seems to be involved in the detoxification process. It was recently described and characterized a tryparedoxin (LiTXN1) involved in Leishmania infantum cytoplasmatic hydroperoxide metabolism. LiTXN1 is a secreted protein that is up-regulated in the infectious form of the parasite, suggesting that it may play an important role during infection. In the present study, we investigated whether recombinant LiTXN1 (rLiTXN1) affects T- and B-cell functions in a murine model. We observed a significant increase in the CD69 surface marker on the B-cell population in total spleen cells and on isolated B cells from BALB/c mice after in vitro rLiTXN1 stimulus. Activated B-cells underwent further proliferation, as indicated by increased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Cytokine quantification showed a dose-dependent up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-10 secretion. B cells were identified as a source of this secretion. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of rLiTXN1 into BALB/c mice triggered the production of elevated levels of rLiTXN1-specific antibodies, predominantly of the immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes, with a minimum reactivity against other heterologous antigens. Taken together, our data suggest that rLiTXN1 may participate in immunopathological processes by targeting B-cell effector functions, leading to IL-10 secretion and production of specific antibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytosol / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism*
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Leishmania infantum / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Thioredoxins / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • tryparedoxin
  • Interleukin-10
  • Thioredoxins