Evaluation of gene expression levels for cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis

This study evaluated levels for mRNA expression of 7 cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of ocular toxoplasmosis patients (OT Group, n= 23) and chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR Group, n= 9) were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. Negative controls (NC) were constituted of 7 PBMC samples from individuals seronegative for toxoplasmosis. mRNA expression for cytokines was determined by qPCR. Results showed a significant increase of mRNA levels from antigen stimulated PBMCs derived from OT Group for expressing IL‐6 (at p<0.005 and p < 0.0005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively), IL‐10 (at p<0.0005 and p < 0.005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively) and TGF‐β (at p < 0.005) for NC group. mRNA levels for TNF‐α and IL‐12 were also up‐regulated in OT patients compared to CHR and NC individuals, although without statistical significance. Additionally, mRNA levels for IL‐27 and IFN‐γ in PBMC of OT patients were up‐regulated in comparison with NC individuals. Differences between OT and NC groups were statistically significant at p<0.05 and p < 0.0005, respectively. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Source: Parasite Immunology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: Original Paper Source Type: research