Investigation of pro-inflammatory factors in choroid plexus of dogs with visceral leishmaniosis

Author(s)

José Eduardo dos Santos Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Araçatuba. 2017-08-22.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária. Araçatuba
• Defense date: 2017-08-17
• Advisor: Gisele Fabrino Machado

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease that causes several clinical manifestations in dogs, including neurological alterations, however, there are few reports that characterize the lesions observed and that contribute to elucidate the pathogenesis of the neurological form of VL. The choroid plexus (CP) forms an important interface between the cerebrospinal fluid and the vascular peripheral system, and is a structure with the potential to allow the passage of inflammatory cells into CNS and serve as a source of inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to evaluate brain lesions including CP in dogs with VL and to evaluate the possible participation of CP as a producer of pro-inflammatory mediators such as cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α) and chemokines (CCL-3, CCL-4, CCL-5, CXCL-10), and blood brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction through the presence of albumin, antibody anti-Leishmania in the cerebrospinal fluid and also by the albumin quotient facilitate the passage of immune cells and contribute to inflammatory brain disorders. Inflammatory infiltrates were observed ranging from mild to severe, mainly in CP and meninges. Increased gene expression of CCL-5 and tendency to increase CXCL-10 in CP from infected dogs. Presence of amastigotes and Leishmania DNA in CP, as well as anti-Leishmania antibodies and albumin in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with VL. These results indicate that there is dysfunction of BBB in dogs with VL and that CCL-5 could be produced by CP, on the other hand, this tissue did not prove to actively contribute to the production of other cytokines evaluated in this study. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/01202-9 - Investigation of pro-inflammatory factors and tight junction proteins expression in the choroid plexus of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis
• Grantee: José Eduardo dos Santos Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate