Gestation and breastfeeding in schistosomotic mothers differently modulate the immune response of adult offspring to postnatal Schistosoma mansoni infection

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2016 Feb;111(2):83-92. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760150293.

Abstract

Schistosoma mansoni antigens in the early life alter homologous and heterologous immunity during postnatal infections. We evaluate the immunity to parasite antigens and ovalbumin (OA) in adult mice born/suckled by schistosomotic mothers. Newborns were divided into: born (BIM), suckled (SIM) or born/suckled (BSIM) in schistosomotic mothers, and animals from noninfected mothers (control). When adults, the mice were infected and compared the hepatic granuloma size and cellularity. Some animals were OA + adjuvant immunised. We evaluated hypersensitivity reactions (HR), antibodies levels (IgG1/IgG2a) anti-soluble egg antigen and anti-soluble worm antigen preparation, and anti-OA, cytokine production, and CD4+FoxP3+T-cells by splenocytes. Compared to control group, BIM mice showed a greater quantity of granulomas and collagen deposition, whereas SIM and BSIM presented smaller granulomas. BSIM group exhibited the lowest levels of anti-parasite antibodies. For anti-OA immunity, immediate HR was suppressed in all groups, with greater intensity in SIM mice accompanied of the remarkable level of basal CD4+FoxP3+T-cells. BIM and SIM groups produced less interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-g. In BSIM, there was higher production of IL-10 and IFN-g, but lower levels of IL-4 and CD4+FoxP3+T-cells. Thus, pregnancy in schistosomotic mothers intensified hepatic fibrosis, whereas breastfeeding diminished granulomas in descendants. Separately, pregnancy and breastfeeding could suppress heterologous immunity; however, when combined, the responses could be partially restored in infected descendants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Animals, Suckling / immunology*
  • Animals, Suckling / parasitology
  • Antibodies, Helminth / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / parasitology
  • Cercaria / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / blood
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / immunology*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / parasitology
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / pathology
  • Immunity, Heterologous / physiology
  • Immunity, Humoral / physiology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-10 / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis / immunology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / parasitology
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / immunology*
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mothers
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Pregnancy
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / pathology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Ovalbumin