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Influence of maternal schistosomiasis on the immunity of adult offspring mice

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Abstract

Schistosoma mansoni infection modulates the immunity to unrelated antigens in the host. In this study, we have investigated the effect of pregnancy and nursing from schistosomotic mother mice on the immune response to ovalbumin (OA), in adult offspring. Then, newborn mice were divided into four groups: animals born from infected mothers (BIM) suckled by non-infected mothers; animals from non-infected mothers suckled by infected mothers (SIM); and two other groups that were mice born and suckled in infected mothers (BSIM) or non-infected (control) mothers. The adult offspring were immunized with OA plus adjuvant. We compared the OA-specific hypersensitivity reactions (HR), antibodies levels (IgG, IgG2a) and the cytokine production in splenocyte cultures. Remarkable interleukin (IL)-10 synthesis was observed in mice BIM; while the anti-OA antibodies levels and immediate HR were impaired. IL-10 neutralization recovered this suppression. Differently, in mice SIM and BSIM there was an enhancement in the anti-OA humoral response and high IL-2 production, however low level of the IL-10 was detected in mice BSIM. In conclusion, schistosomotic pregnancy provides an immunosuppressive potential, IL-10 dependent, which was sustained throughout adult life. Regardless, suckling by infected mothers induces great responsiveness to an unrelated antigen and repairs the inhibitory potential acquired during prenatal stage.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Carla Lima from the Special Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CAT/CEPID), Butantan Institute, São Paulo-Brazil for her helpful comments and suggestions. We also thank Maria da Conceição Batista for competent technical assistance. This work was conducted in compliance with Brazilian laws.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Immunology, Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Patrícia d’Emery Alves Santos, Iana Rafaela Fernandes Sales, Vlaudia Maria Assis Costa, Mônica Camelo P. A. Albuquerque & Elizabeth Malagueño

  2. Laboratory of Immunology, Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Giuliana Viegas Schirato & Valdênia Maria Oliveira Souza

Authors
  1. Patrícia d’Emery Alves Santos
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  2. Iana Rafaela Fernandes Sales
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  3. Giuliana Viegas Schirato
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  4. Vlaudia Maria Assis Costa
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  5. Mônica Camelo P. A. Albuquerque
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  6. Valdênia Maria Oliveira Souza
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  7. Elizabeth Malagueño
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valdênia Maria Oliveira Souza.

Additional information

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and P.E.A. Santos was in receipt of a Master's Fellowship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

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Santos, P.d.A., Sales, I.R.F., Schirato, G.V. et al. Influence of maternal schistosomiasis on the immunity of adult offspring mice. Parasitol Res 107, 95–102 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1839-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1839-5

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