A mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica instructs dendritic cells with parasite specific Th1-polarizing activity

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 12:7:40615. doi: 10.1038/srep40615.

Abstract

Fasciolosis is a trematode zoonosis of interest in public health and cattle production. We report here the immunostimulatory effect of a 66 mer mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica (Fhmuc), which synergizes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to promote dendritic cell (DC) maturation, endowing these cells with Th1-polarizing capacity. Exposure of DCs to Fhmuc in presence of LPS induced enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of co-stimulatory molecules by DCs, promoting their T cell stimulatory capacity and selectively augmenting IFN-γ secretion by allogeneic T cells. Furthermore, exposure of DCs to Fhmuc augmented LPS-induced Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 expression on the cell surface. Finally, Fhmuc-conditioned DCs induced parasite specific-adaptive immunity with increased levels of IFN-γ secreted by splenocytes from vaccinated animals, and higher parasite-specific IgG antibodies. However, Fhmuc-treated DC conferred modest protection against F. hepatica infection highlighting the potent immuno-regulatory capacity of the parasite. In summary, this work highlights the capacity of a mucin-derived peptide from F. hepatica to enhance LPS-maturation of DCs and induce parasite-specific immune responses with potential implications in vaccination and therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Helminth / metabolism
  • CD11c Antigen / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity* / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Fasciola hepatica / immunology
  • Fasciola hepatica / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Biological
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Parasites / immunology
  • Parasites / metabolism*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Peritoneal Cavity
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Species Specificity
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Th1 Cells / cytology*
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • CD11c Antigen
  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mucin-1
  • NF-kappa B
  • Peptides
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Interferon-gamma