Vaccination with Toxoplasma lysate antigen or its encapsulated niosomes form immunomodulates adjuvant-induced arthritis through JAK3 downregulation

Sally S Hassouna; Eman A Allam; Eman Sheta; Gehan A M Khodear; Marwa I Khedr; Safaa I Khedr; Maha M Gomaa

doi:10.1007/s10787-023-01267-0

Vaccination with Toxoplasma lysate antigen or its encapsulated niosomes form immunomodulates adjuvant-induced arthritis through JAK3 downregulation

Inflammopharmacology. 2023 Dec;31(6):3101-3114. doi: 10.1007/s10787-023-01267-0. Epub 2023 Jun 30.

Authors

Sally S Hassouna¹, Eman A Allam², Eman Sheta³, Gehan A M Khodear⁴, Marwa I Khedr⁵, Safaa I Khedr⁶, Maha M Gomaa⁶

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine Department, Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. sallysaadhassouna@gmail.com.
² Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
³ Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁴ Medical Technology Center, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁵ Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁶ Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory autoimmune arthritis like that present in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is treated by medications with many side effects. This study was a trial to benefit from Toxoplasma immune-modulatory effects on its host to treat arthritis in rat model resembling joints affection of RA. To avoid hazards of infection, Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) was given instead of the whole infection, in addition to giving its encapsulated niosomes form, assuming that it would enhance the effect of TLA alone, to compare effects of both on disease activity with that of prednisolone.

Methods: Swiss albino rats were divided into 6 groups: normal control group and the remaining 5 groups were injected by CFA adjuvant to induce arthritis; one of those groups was the untreated model. Each of the other groups received one of the following (TLA, TLA-encapsulated niosomes, prednisolone or niosomes) for comparison of their results. Inflammatory markers measured at the end of the experiment were: interleukin 17 (IL-17), IL-10 and CRP by ELISA technique; histopathological assessment of the biopsied hind paw joints was done and also, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results: TLA and TLA-encapsulated niosomes both mitigated the signs of clinical and histopathological arthritis and were having anti-inflammatory effects (decreased CRP, IL-17 and JAK3 expressions, while increased IL-10 levels) with better effects in TLA-encapsulated niosomes-treated RA group, both groups' results were comparable to prednisolone. Niosomes also gave some anti-inflammatory effects but were mild in comparison to TLA and TLA-encapsulated niosomes.

Conclusion: Vaccination with both TLA and TLA-encapsulated niosomes for the first time in adjuvant-induced arthritis ameliorated the disease through diversion of immune system and JAK3 downregulation. Both vaccinations should be further tested to evaluate the possibility of their introduction for disease treatment and in other autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: Arthritis; Niosomes; Prednisolone and Janus kinase 3; Toxoplasma lysate antigen; Toxoplasma lysate antigen-encapsulated niosomes.

MeSH terms

Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Antigens, Protozoan
Arthritis*
Arthritis, Experimental* / drug therapy
Down-Regulation
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-17
Janus Kinase 3
Liposomes
Prednisolone
Rats
Toxoplasma*
Vaccination

Substances

Interleukin-10
Interleukin-17
Liposomes
Janus Kinase 3
Antigens, Protozoan
Prednisolone
Anti-Inflammatory Agents