Immunological role of the endosymbionts of Dirofilaria immitis: the Wolbachia surface protein activates canine neutrophils with production of IL-8
Filarial nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, harbour intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Wolbachia. These bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of filarial diseases, possibly through their endotoxins. Recent studies have shown that a major surface protein of...
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Published in | Veterinary parasitology Vol. 117; no. 1; pp. 73 - 83 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Netherlands
Elsevier B.V
03.11.2003
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Filarial nematodes, including
Dirofilaria immitis and
D. repens, harbour intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus
Wolbachia. These bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of filarial diseases, possibly through their endotoxins. Recent studies have shown that a major surface protein of
Wolbachia (WSP) induces a specific IgG response in hosts infected by
D. immitis. WSP from the
Wolbachia of
D. immitis was produced in recombinant form. The purified protein was used in stimulation assays on canine neutrophils. The assays performed using a modified Boyden chamber showed that WSP stimulates neutrophil chemokinesis. In addition, RT-PCR revealed increased production of chemokine IL-8 by cells incubated with this protein. Neutrophils have been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of river blindness, and to accumulate in the nodules of onchocerciasis patients. In dogs infected by
D. immitis, neutrophils accumulate in kidneys and in the wall of pulmonary arteries. As shown by our studies,
Wolbachia could contribute to these inflammatory phenomena through its surface protein WSP, independently from its endotoxin component. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 0304-4017 1873-2550 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.07.013 |