title: The effect of IFN-γ and TGF-β in the functional activity of mononuclear cells in the presence of Entamoeba histolytica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) causes amoebiasis, which is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Phagocytic cells and cytokines appear to be important in amoebiasis, but very little is known about the influence of these cells and cytokines in protozoan infections. The aim of this study was to analyse the supernatant of cultures of mononuclear (MN) cells with E. histolytica to determine: 1) the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β, and 2) the amoebicidal activity of MN cells after incubation with cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected from 30 volunteer donors. The cytokine concentrations in MN cells culture supernatants, superoxide release, leukophagocytosis, amoebicide activity, intracellular calcium release and apoptosis were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IFN-γ concentrations were 6.22 ± 0.36 and TGF-β concentrations were 17.01 ± 2.21 in cells-trophozoite culture supernatants. MN cells, independently of cytokines, in the presence of amoeba increase the superoxide release. In the absence of cytokines, the ingestion of MN cells by amoebae was higher. In the presence of IFN- γ or TGF- β, a lower ingestion of MN cells was observed by amoebae. MN cells treated with cytokines exhibited higher amoebicide and apoptosis indexes. The incubation of cytokines increased the intracellular calcium release by MN cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that cytokines play a beneficial role for the host by activating MN cells against E. histolytica. The increased death of amoebae during the leukophagocytosis suggests that both cytokines (IFN-γ and TGF-β) can modulate the functional activity of MN cells and that these cytokines probably are important in the control of amoebic infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. luceliaufmt@gmail.com.|Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. luceliaufmt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucélia Campelo Albuquerque
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. dr.eduardo.franca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eduardo Luzía
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: França
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. faelpessoa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael Souza
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. dannylauragf@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Danny Laura Gomes
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fagundes
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. botoaraguaia@gmail.com.|Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. botoaraguaia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mara Gil
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hernandes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. luceliacampelo@ig.com.br.
authors.forename: Victor Pena
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. mgomes@icb.ufmg.br.
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rodovia BR070, Km 5 s/no, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. adenildachf@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Adenilda Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Honorio-França
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D013481:Superoxides; D007371:Interferon-gamma