Microfilaria-dependent thoracic pathology associated with eosinophilic and fibrotic polyps in filaria-infected rodents

Fercoq, F., Remion, E., Vallarino-Lhermitte, N., Alonso, J., Raveendran, L., Nixon, C., Le Quesne, J., Carlin, L. M. and Martin, C. (2020) Microfilaria-dependent thoracic pathology associated with eosinophilic and fibrotic polyps in filaria-infected rodents. Parasites and Vectors, 13, 531. (doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04428-0) (PMID:33160409) (PMCID:PMC7648300)

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Abstract

Background: Pulmonary manifestations are regularly reported in both human and animal filariasis. In human filariasis, the main known lung manifestations are the tropical pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome. Its duration and severity are correlated with the presence of microfilariae. Litomosoides sigmodontis is a filarial parasite residing in the pleural cavity of rodents. This model is widely used to understand the immune mechanisms that are established during infection and for the screening of therapeutic molecules. Some pulmonary manifestations during the patent phase of infection with L. sigmodontis have been described in different rodent hosts more or less permissive to infection. Methods: Here, the permissive Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) was infected with L. sigmodontis. Prevalence and density of microfilariae and adult parasites were evaluated. Lungs were analyzed for pathological signatures using immunohistochemistry and 3D imaging techniques (two-photon and light sheet microscopy). Results: Microfilaremia in gerbils was correlated with parasite load, as amicrofilaremic individuals had fewer parasites in their pleural cavities. Fibrotic polypoid structures were observed on both pleurae of infected gerbils. Polyps were of variable size and developed from the visceral mesothelium over the entire pleura. The larger polyps were vascularized and strongly infiltrated by immune cells such as eosinophils, macrophages or lymphocytes. The formation of these structures was induced by the presence of adult filariae since small and rare polyps were observed before patency, but they were exacerbated by the presence of gravid females and microfilariae. Conclusions: Altogether, these data emphasize the role of host-specific factors in the pathogenesis of filarial infections.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:CM is grateful for core funding from the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle and the European Community grant H2020-EU.3.1.3.-HELP-815628. ER is recipients of a PhD fellowship from the “Ecole doctorale 227 (MNHN/UPMC)”. LMC and FF are grateful for the core funding from Cancer Research UK (CRUK A17196 and A23983).
Keywords:Filariasis, microfilaria, lung, polyps, vascularization, eosinophils.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nixon, Mr Colin and Le Quesne, Professor John and Carlin, Dr Leo
Authors: Fercoq, F., Remion, E., Vallarino-Lhermitte, N., Alonso, J., Raveendran, L., Nixon, C., Le Quesne, J., Carlin, L. M., and Martin, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Parasites and Vectors
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1756-3305
ISSN (Online):1756-3305
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Parasites and Vectors 13: 551
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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