Role of Interleukin 17A in Aortic Valve Inflammation in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice
CURRENT MEDICAL SCIENCE
Authors: Liu, Fa-yuan; Bai, Peng; Jiang, Ye-fan; Dong, Nian-guo; Li, Geng; Chu, Chong
Abstract
Interleukin 17A (IL17A) is reported to be involved in many inflammatory processes, but its role in aortic valve diseases remains unknown. We examined the role of IL17A based on an ApoE(-/-)mouse model with strategies as fed with high-fat diet or treated with IL17A monoclonal antibody (mAb). 12 weeks of high-fat diet feeding can elevate cytokines secretion, inflammatory cells infiltration and myofibroblastic transition of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in aortic valve. Moreover, diet-induction accelerated interleukin 17 receptor A (IL17RA) activation in VICs. In an IL17A inhibition model, the treatment group was intra-peritoneally injected with anti-IL17A mAb while controls received irrelevant antibody. Functional blockade of IL17A markedly reduced cellular infiltration and transition in aortic valve. To investigate potential mechanisms, NF-kappa B was co-stained in IL17RA(+)VICs and IL17RA(+)macrophages, and further confirmed by Western blotting in VICs. High-fat diet could activate NF-kappa B nuclear translocation in IL17RA(+)VICs and IL17RA(+)macrophages and this process was depressed after IL17A mAb-treatment. In conclusion, high-fat diet can lead to IL17A upregulation, VICs myofibroblastic transition and inflammatory cells infiltration in the aortic value of ApoE(-/-)mice. Blocking IL17A with IL17A mAb can alleviate aortic valve inflammatory states.
Genetic polymorphism in IL17RA induces susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection in Brazilian pregnant women
ACTA TROPICA
Authors: de Araujo Andrade, Joelma Maria; Silva de Oliveira, Claudio Bruno; Rodrigues Meurer, Ywlliane da Silva; Santana, Jessica Emanuella; Barbosa de Almeida, Yngrid Gleyter; dos Santos, Priscilla Vilela; Soares de Souza, Debora Maria; Costa, Guilherme de Paula; Talvani, Andre; Palomino, Gustavo Martelli; de Oliveira Crispim Freitas, Janaina Cristiana; de Andrade-Neto, Valter Ferreira
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite which can cause fetal death/abortion and can induce damage in the brain and eyes of the infected babies. The environmental and genetic factors associated with T. gondii and the maternal immune response, drive part of the pathogenesis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the allelic and genotypic frequencies of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL17A and IL17RA genes, as well as the production of IL-17A, IL-33, and CCL2 in pregnant women, from the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, further relating these along with the clinical parameters, to the toxoplasmosis infection. Through PCR-RFLP techniques, two SNPs implicated in Th17 immune response, IL17A rs2275913 (G > A) and IL17RA rs4819554 (A > G) modulation were evaluated in pregnant women, either infected or not infected by T. gondii. These women were also evaluated in terms of plasma release of CCL2, IL-33, and IL-17A which relate to hypertension, number of abortions, and ethnic pattern. The results showed that the G-allele of the SNP rs2275913 (IL17A) appeared to be protective in this population, while the rs4819554 (IL17RA) SNP G allele was associated with greater susceptibility to T. gondii infection [rho value = 0.025; OR = 2.815 (1.118-7.089); CI = 95%]. None of the cytokines had any influence on the analyzed parameters (abortion and hypertension). In conclusion, our data suggest an immunogenic evidence of susceptibility to T. gondii infection driven by the rs4819554 (IL17RA) SNP G allele in Brazilian pregnant women. Further studies are needed to reinforce this trial marker in populations from distinct geographical areas as well as to confirm the protective pattern related to the G-allele of the SNP rs2275913 (IL17A) in pregnant women.