Trichinella spiralis infection and protein deficiency: study of mast cells, goblet cells and specific antibodies in lung and intestine

FALDUTO, GH; BALDI, PC; SARACINO, MP; MAMBRIN, MC; VENTURIELLO, SM; VILA, CC; CALCAGNO, MA; PALLARO, A

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXIV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología; 2016

Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología

BackgroundWe have shown that protein deficient rats infectedwith Trichinella spiralis have a moresevere infection, with a delayed expulsion of adult worms (AW).Here we studied the effect of proteindeficiency on the appearance of mast and goblet cells (importantin anti-T. spiralis response), and ofantibodies (Abs) against Excretory-Secretory Products from muscle larvae(ML-ESP) and AW (AW-ESP) in lung and intestine during the infection. MethodsWeaning Wistar rats received protein-deficientdiet (PD) containing 6.5% casein, or a control diet (C, 20% casein). After tendays, both groups were orally infected with ML; non-infected rats served ascontrols (n=3 per group). At days 3, 6, 9, 13 and 33 post-infection (p.i.)lungs and intestine were obtained. Histological analyses for counting mastcells (Alcian Blue, Safranin) and goblet cells (Haematoxilin-PAS) were performed. Data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVAtest. Lung and intestine tissue extracts wereobtained at days 6 and 13 p.i.(PERFEXT method) and specific Abs were detectedby ELISA. ResultsIntestine: Goblet cells increased, compared tonon-infected rats, from day 6 p.i. in C group (p<0.005) and from day 9 p.i. (p<0.01) in PD group. Mast cells increased from day 6 p.i. in Cgroup (p<0.01) and from day13 p.iin PD group (p<0.001). At day 6p.i. C and PD had only anti-ML-ESP Abs. At day 13 p.i. C group presented Absagainst both stages, but PD only against AW-ESP.Lung: Goblet cells increased from day 3 p.i. inC group (p<0.01) and from day 9p.i. in PD group (p<0.001). Mastcells increased from day 3 p.i. in C group (p<0.01)and from day 9 p.i. in PD group (p<0.01).Both groups had specific Abs against both stages at days 6 and 13 p.i. ConclusionsProtein deficiency seems to affect the mucosal cellular response (more than thehumoral response) to T. spiralis.This may explain the delayed expulsion of AW and the more severe infection inmice receiving the PD diet.