RESUMO

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is part of a signaling system that is mainly triggered by xenobiotic agents. Increasing evidence suggests that AhR may regulate immunity to infections. To determine the role of AhR in the outcome of toxoplasmosis, we used AhR-/- and wild-type (WT) mice. Following an intraperitoneal infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), AhR-/- mice succumbed significantly faster than WT mice and displayed greater liver damage as well as higher serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, nitric oxide (NO), and IgE but lower IL-10 secretion. Interestingly, lower numbers of cysts were found in their brains. Increased mortality was associated with reduced expression of GATA-3, IL-10, and 5-LOX mRNA in spleen cells but higher expression of IFN-gamma mRNA. Additionally, peritoneal exudate cells from AhR-/- mice produced higher levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma but lower TLR2 expression than WT mice. These findings suggest a role for AhR in limiting the inflammatory response during toxoplasmosis.

Assuntos

Receptores de Hidrocarboneto Arílico/imunologia , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/imunologia , Animais , Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Líquido Ascítico/metabolismo , Encéfalo/imunologia , Feminino , Citometria de Fluxo , Fator de Transcrição GATA3/genética , Fator de Transcrição GATA3/metabolismo , Imunidade Inata/imunologia , Endogamia , Interferon gama/biossíntese , Interferon gama/sangue , Interferon gama/genética , Interleucinas/biossíntese , Interleucinas/sangue , Lipoxinas/biossíntese , Lipoxinas/genética , Fígado/imunologia , Fígado/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Receptores de Hidrocarboneto Arílico/deficiência , Receptores de Hidrocarboneto Arílico/genética , Baço/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/metabolismo , Toxoplasmose Animal/patologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue