The role of the adaptor molecule STING during Schistosoma mansoni infection

Sci Rep. 2020 May 13;10(1):7901. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64788-6.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a human parasitic disease responsible for serious consequences for public health, as well as severe socioeconomic impacts in developing countries. Here, we provide evidence that the adaptor molecule STING plays an important role in Schistosoma mansoni infection. S. mansoni DNA is sensed by cGAS leading to STING activation in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Sting-/- and C57BL/6 (WT) mice were infected with schistosome cercariae in order to assess parasite burden and liver pathology. Sting-/- mice showed worm burden reduction but no change in the number of eggs or granuloma numbers and area when compared to WT animals. Immunologically, a significant increase in IFN-γ production by the spleen cells was observed in Sting-/- animals. Surprisingly, Sting-/- mice presented an elevated percentage of neutrophils in lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and spleens. Moreover, Sting-/- neutrophils exhibited increased survival rate, but similar ability to kill schistosomula in vitro when stimulated with IFN-γ when compared to WT cells. Finally, microbiota composition was altered in Sting-/- mice, revealing a more inflammatory profile when compared to WT animals. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that STING signaling pathway is important for S. mansoni DNA sensing and the lack of this adaptor molecule leads to enhanced resistance to infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Protozoan / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions* / immunology
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / deficiency
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism
  • Organ Specificity / immunology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Schistosoma mansoni / physiology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / metabolism*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • Nucleotidyltransferases
  • cGAS protein, mouse