The potential link between the infections and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has led to speculations about the role of various pathogens in triggering amyloid-β (Aβ) overproduction, possibly leading to AD onset. The globally distributed dog roundworm Toxocara canis was suggested to be a suitable candidate due to neurotropism of the larvae and infection chronicity. This study investigated whether chronic T. canis infection induces AD-like pathology in mice and whether Aβ is toxic to T. canis. BALB/c and APP/PS1 transgenic mice, which overproduce Aβ, were infected with T. canis L3 larvae and monitored for larval burden, Aβ accumulation, and behavioral changes. In vitro tests of recombinant Aβ toxicity against the larvae were also performed. Despite the presence of T. canis larvae in the central nervous system 8 and 16 weeks post-infection, no significant increase in Aβ concentration or AD-related behavioral alterations were observed. Aβ was detected on the surface and within the intestines of T. canis larvae, but in vitro exposure to recombinant Aβ did not affect larval viability or morphology. Our findings suggest that T. canis infection does not trigger AD-like pathology in mice, and Aβ does not act as an antiparasitic agent. This challenges the emerging hypothesis that chronic neurotoxocarosis infections may contribute to AD development.

TITLE: Absence de preuve de pathologie de la maladie d’Alzheimer chez les souris infectées par Toxocara canis. ABSTRACT: Le lien potentiel entre les infections et le développement de la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) a suscité des spéculations sur le rôle de divers agents pathogènes dans le déclenchement de la surproduction de β-amyloïde (βA), pouvant conduire à l’apparition de la MA. Toxocara canis, un nématode du chien, répandu mondialement, a été suggéré comme un candidat potentiel en raison du neurotropisme de ses larves et de la chronicité de son infection. Cette étude examine si une infection chronique à T. canis induit une pathologie de type MA chez la souris et si la βA est toxique pour T. canis. Des souris transgéniques BALB/c et APP/PS1, qui surproduisent la βA, ont été infectées par des larves L3 de T. canis et la charge larvaire, l’accumulation de βA et les changements comportementaux ont été étudiés. Des tests in vitro de toxicité de la βA recombinante contre les larves ont également été réalisés. Malgré la présence de larves de T. canis dans le système nerveux central 8 et 16 semaines après l’infection, aucune augmentation significative de la concentration de la βA ni d’altération comportementale liée à la MA n’ont été observées. La βA a été détectée à la surface et dans les intestins des larves de T. canis, mais l’exposition in vitro à la βA recombinante n’a pas affecté la viabilité ou la morphologie des larves. Nos résultats suggèrent que l’infection à T. canis ne déclenche pas de pathologie de type MA chez la souris, et que la βA n’agit pas comme agent antiparasitaire. Cela remet en cause l’hypothèse émergente selon laquelle les infections chroniques par neurotoxocarose pourraient contribuer au développement de la MA.

• Keywords
• Alzheimer’s disease, Amyloid-β, Infectious hypothesis, Neurotoxocarosis, Toxocara canis,
• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease * pathology   parasitology   etiology   MeSH
• Amyloid beta-Peptides toxicity   metabolism   analysis   MeSH
• Larva MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
• Mice, Transgenic MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Intestines parasitology   MeSH
• Toxocara canis * physiology   growth & development   MeSH
• Toxocariasis * complications   pathology   parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Amyloid beta-Peptides MeSH

The incidences of multiple sclerosis have risen worldwide, yet neither the trigger nor efficient treatment is known. Some research is dedicated to looking for treatment by parasites, mainly by helminths. However, little is known about the effect of helminths that infect the nervous system. Therefore, we chose the neurotropic avian schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti, which strongly promotes M2 polarization and tissue repair in the central nervous system, and we tested its effect on the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. Surprisingly, the symptoms of EAE tended to worsen after the infection with T. regenti. The infection did not stimulate tissue repair, as indicated by the similar level of demyelination. Eosinophils heavily infiltrated the infected tissue, and the microglia number increased as well. Furthermore, splenocytes from T. regenti-infected EAE mice produced more interferon (IFN)-γ than splenocytes from EAE mice after stimulation with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Our research indicates that the combination of increased eosinophil numbers and production of IFN-γ tends to worsen the EAE symptoms. Moreover, the data highlight the importance of considering the direct effect of the parasite on the tissue, as the migrating parasite may further tissue damage and make tissue repair even more difficult.

• Keywords
• EAE, IFN-γ, Trichobilharzia regenti, demyelination, eosinophilia, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, neurotropic parasite, neurotropic schistosome,
• MeSH
• Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental * immunology   pathology   MeSH
• Eosinophils immunology   MeSH
• Interferon-gamma * metabolism   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL * MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Multiple Sclerosis immunology   pathology   MeSH
• Schistosomatidae physiology   MeSH
• Spleen pathology   parasitology   immunology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Interferon-gamma * MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Schistosoma mansoni infection is one of the worldwide leading causes of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether polyhydroxylated bile acids (BAs), known to protect mice from the development of acquired cholestatic liver injury, counteract S. mansoni-induced inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS: Adult FVB/N wild type (WT) and Abcb11/Bsep-/- mice were infected with either 25 or 50 S. mansoni cercariae. Eight weeks post infection, effects on liver histology, serum biochemistry, gene expression profile of proinflammatory cytokines and fibrotic markers, hepatic hydroxyproline content and FACS analysis were performed. RESULTS: Bsep-/- mice infected with S. mansoni showed significantly less hepatic inflammation and tendentially less fibrosis compared to infected WT mice. Despite elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in infected Bsep-/- mice, inflammatory cells such as M2 macrophages and Mac-2/galectin-3+ cells were reduced in these animals. Accordingly, mRNA-expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) were increased in Bsep-/- mice upon infection. Furthermore, infected Bsep-/- mice exhibited decreased hepatic egg load and parasite fecundity, consequently affecting the worm reproduction rate. This outcome could arise from elevated serum BA levels and lower blood pH in Bsep-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of Bsep and the resulting changes in bile acid composition and blood pH are associated with the reduction of parasite fecundity, thus attenuating the development of S. mansoni-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.

• Keywords
• Schistosoma mansoni, anti-inflammatory, bile acids, infection, liver fibrosis,
• MeSH
• Cytokines metabolism   MeSH
• Fertility MeSH
• Liver Cirrhosis prevention & control   etiology   MeSH
• Liver pathology   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Parasites * MeSH
• Schistosoma mansoni MeSH
• Schistosomiasis mansoni * complications   MeSH
• Inflammation pathology   MeSH
• Bile Acids and Salts metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Abcb11 protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Cytokines MeSH
• Bile Acids and Salts MeSH

Helminth neuroinfections represent serious medical conditions, but the diversity of the host-parasite interplay within the nervous tissue often remains poorly understood, partially due to the lack of laboratory models. Here, we investigated the neuroinvasion of the mouse spinal cord by Trichobilharzia regenti (Schistosomatidae). Active migration of T. regenti schistosomula through the mouse spinal cord induced motor deficits in hindlimbs but did not affect the general locomotion or working memory. Histological examination of the infected spinal cord revealed eosinophilic meningomyelitis with eosinophil-rich infiltrates entrapping the schistosomula. Flow cytometry and transcriptomic analysis of the spinal cord confirmed massive activation of the host immune response. Of note, we recorded striking upregulation of the major histocompatibility complex II pathway and M2-associated markers, such as arginase or chitinase-like 3. Arginase also dominated the proteins found in the microdissected tissue from the close vicinity of the migrating schistosomula, which unselectively fed on the host nervous tissue. Next, we evaluated the pathological sequelae of T. regenti neuroinvasion. While no demyelination or blood-brain barrier alterations were noticed, our transcriptomic data revealed a remarkable disruption of neurophysiological functions not yet recorded in helminth neuroinfections. We also detected DNA fragmentation at the host-schistosomulum interface, but schistosomula antigens did not affect the viability of neurons and glial cells in vitro. Collectively, altered locomotion, significant disruption of neurophysiological functions, and strong M2 polarization were the most prominent features of T. regenti neuroinvasion, making it a promising candidate for further neuroinfection research. Indeed, understanding the diversity of pathogen-related neuroinflammatory processes is a prerequisite for developing better protective measures, treatment strategies, and diagnostic tools.

• MeSH
• Arginase metabolism   MeSH
• Biomarkers metabolism   MeSH
• Chemokines metabolism   MeSH
• Eosinophils metabolism   MeSH
• Major Histocompatibility Complex MeSH
• Immunity MeSH
• Trematode Infections immunology   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
• Spinal Cord parasitology   MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Neuroglia parasitology   MeSH
• Neurons parasitology   MeSH
• Schistosomatidae immunology   MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Arginase MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Chemokines MeSH