Modulation of autophagy plays a central role in dendritic cell functions after Echinococcus antigen recognition

CHOP, MAIA; LOOS, JULIA A.; NICOLAO, MARÍA CELESTE; CUMINO, ANDREA C.; RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUES, CHRISTIAN

Virtual

Congreso; Autophagy UK Network Online Meeting 2021; 2021

Background: Autophagy plays a key role in the presentation of endogenous and exogenous proteins on MHC I and II molecules, promoting activation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells respectively. The aim of this work is to analyze if hydatid fluid (HF) from Echinococcus, constituted by a wide range of parasite proteins could trigger autophagy improving antigen presentation and T cell proliferation. Methods: BMDCs were cultured in complete RPMI. HF was punctured from the hydatid cysts collected of infected cattle slaughtered. Autophagy induction was evaluated by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy with anti LC3-b antibody. Autophagy-related genes were analyzed by q PCR and autophagy flux was analyzed by the use of Chloroquine (100 mM 4 h). MHC class II expression was evaluated in BMDCs upon HF stimulation. Splenocyte proliferation was assayed after co-culture with HF-stimulated BMDCs by FACS. Results: HF-stimulated BMDCs significantly enhanced the MFI of MHC II and LC3 and showed a trend in the increment of number and the average size of LC3-positive structures in comparison with unstimulated cells (*p