The role of IFN-gamma and Toll-like receptors in nephropathy induced by Toxoplasma gondii infection.
The pathologic links between Toxoplasma gondii infections and renal diseases have not yet been established. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in the host defense mechanism against T. gondii infection. The role of IFN-gamma and TLRs in renal function of T. gondii -infected mice was studied using wild type (WT), TLR2-deficient and TLR4-deficient mice perorally infected with cysts of an avirulent cyst-forming Fukaya strain of T. gondii. T. gondii was abundant in kidneys in IFN-gamma KO (GKO) mice as determined by a quantitative competitive-polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR). But, T. gondii was not detected in kidneys in WT, TLR2-deficient and TLR4-deficient mice. Interestingly, renal function of TLR2-deficient and TLR4-deficient mice was damaged as evaluated by serum creatinine, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), whereas renal function of GKO and WT mice was not damaged. Histopathology of TLR2-deficient mice exhibited glomerular and extracellular matrix swelling with advancing glomerular tissue proliferation, thickened Bowman's capsules and vacuolization of tubules. Renal immunofluorescence study of T. gondii -infected TLR2-deficient mice displayed positive staining of the glomerular basement membrane, mesangial areas and peritubular capillaries. The damage of kidney from TLR4-deficient mice was less severe compared to TLR2-deficient mice, and histopathological damage of kidney was not observed in WT and GKO mice. These results indicate that TLR2, but not IFN-gamma, plays a role in the protection of the renal function against T. gondii infection.
Kudo
Masamichi
M
Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-801 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
Aosai
Fumie
F
Mun
Hye-Seong
HS
Norose
Kazumi
K
Akira
Shizuo
S
Iwakura
Yoichiro
Y
Yano
Akihiko
A
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D007371:Interferon-gamma