In Vivo Approaches Reveal a Key Role for DCs in CD4+T Cell Activation and Parasite Clearance during the Acute Phase of Experimental Blood-Stage Malaria

Author(s):Show less -

da Silva, Henrique Borges ^{[1, 2]} ; Fonseca, Raissa ^[2] ; Cassado, Alexandra dos Anjos ^[2] ; de Salles, Erika Machado ^[2] ; de Menezes, Maria Nogueira ^[2] ; Langhorne, Jean ^[3] ; Perez, Katia Regina ^[4] ; Cuccovia, Iolanda Midea ^[5] ; Ryffel, Bernhard ^[6] ; Barreto, Vasco M. ^[1] ; Farias Marinho, Claudio Romero ^[2] ; Boscardin, Silvia Beatriz ^[2] ; Alvarez, Jose Maria ^[2] ; D'Imperio-Lima, Maria Regina ^[2] ; Tadokoro, Carlos Eduardo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Gulbenkian Ciencias, Oeiras - Portugal

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Charing Cross Sunley Med Res Ctr, London W6 8LW - England

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biofis, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Orleans, CNRS, UMR7355, Unite Immunol & Neurogenet Expt & Mol, Orleans - France

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLOS PATHOGENS; v. 11, n. 2 FEB 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are phagocytes that are highly specialized for antigen presentation. Heterogeneous populations of macrophages and DCs form a phagocyte network inside the red pulp (RP) of the spleen, which is a major site for the control of blood-borne infections such as malaria. However, the dynamics of splenic DCs during Plasmodium infections are poorly understood, limiting our knowledge regarding their protective role in malaria. Here, we used in vivo experimental approaches that enabled us to deplete or visualize DCs in order to clarify these issues. To elucidate the roles of DCs and marginal zone macrophages in the protection against blood-stage malaria, we infected DTx (diphtheria toxin)-treated C57BL/6. CD11c-DTR mice, as well as C57BL/6 mice treated with low doses of clodronate liposomes (CILip), with Plasmodium chabaudi AS (Pc) parasites. The first evidence suggesting that DCs could contribute directly to parasite clearance was an early effect of the DTx treatment, but not of the CILip treatment, in parasitemia control. DCs were also required for CD4+ T cell responses during infection. The phagocytosis of infected red blood cells (iRBCs) by splenic DCs was analyzed by confocal intravital microscopy, as well as by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, at three distinct phases of Pc malaria: at the first encounter, at pre-crisis concomitant with parasitemia growth and at crisis when the parasitemia decline coincides with spleen closure. In vivo and ex vivo imaging of the spleen revealed that DCs actively phagocytize iRBCs and interact with CD4+ T cells both in T cell-rich areas and in the RP. Subcapsular RP DCs were highly efficient in the recognition and capture of iRBCs during pre-crisis, while complete DC maturation was only achieved during crisis. These findings indicate that, beyond their classical role in antigen presentation, DCs also contribute to the direct elimination of iRBCs during acute Plasmodium infection. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/08559-1 - Characterization of effector mechanisms of innate and acquired immunity in chronic malaria model of CD28KO mice infected with Plasmodium chabaudi AS
• Grantee: Henrique Borges da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 11/24038-1 - Effects of purinergic signaling in the immune response and pathogenesis during Plasmodium chabaudi AS malaria
• Grantee: Maria Regina D'Império Lima
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants