Therapeutic effects of Hirudo medicinalis extract antigens on modulation of CD4
Research article published in Veterinary parasitology (2022)
Abstract
Eimeriosis is a common parasitic disease in the chicken industry. The aim of this study was to assess the protective role of Hirudo extract antigens (HEA) against murine eimeriosis induced by Eimeria papillate. The oocyst output, developmental stages, goblet cells and oxidative stress, were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect anti-apoptotic Bcl2 marker and the number of both CD4+ and CD25+ cells in jejunal tissue, while ELISA was used to quantify TGF-β, IL-10 and IL-22 in jejunal tissue homogenate. Real-time PCR was also used to detect mRNA expression of mucin 2 (MUC2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and FoxP3. The most effective dose (5 µg/mice) reduced the oocyst output by 82.95 ± 1.02% (P ˂ 0.001). Similarly, the same dose reduced the jejunal developmental stages by 66.67 ± 0.49% (P ˂ 0.001). Furthermore, HEA therapy increased the number of jejunal goblet cells by 12.8 ± 1 (P ˂ 0.001) and the expression of MUC2 by 0.83 ± 0.06 (P ˂ 0.001). In contrast, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β expression as well as apoptosis were reduced. The number of CD4+ and CD25+ in the jejunal tissue was increased (14.6 ± 1.2 (P ˂ 0.001), 6.84 ± 1 (P ˂ 0.01), respectively) after HEA therapy. The molecular analysis showed an increased expression of intestinal Foxp3 (3.2 ± 0.13 (P ˂ 0.001), while IL-22 was reduced (124 ± 10 (P ˂ 0.001)) versus an increase in TGF-β (250 ± 17 (P ˂ 0.01)) and IL-10 (236 ± 16 (P ˂ 0.001)) after HEA treatment in comparison to the non-treated infected group. With respect to the infected group, HEA reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO) (15.7 ± 1.12 (P ˂ 0.001)) and nitric oxide (NO) (13 ± 1.3 (P ˂ 0.001)) but increased reduced glutathione (GSH) (3.7 ± 0.26 (P ˂ 0.001)). In conclusion, HEA therapy protected against intestinal tissue damage by activation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3 cells which showed anti-inflammatory action. Hence, HEA can be recommended as a therapeutic treatment for eimeriosis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Eimeriosis is a common parasitic disease in the chicken industry. The aim of this study was to assess the protective role of Hirudo extract antigens (HEA) against murine eimeriosis induced by Eimeria papillate.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio examinó los efectos protectores de los antígenos del extracto de Hirudo (HEA) contra la eimeriosis murina inducida por Eimeria papillate en ratones, midiendo la excreción de ooquistes, los estadios de desarrollo yeyunal, las células caliciformes, los marcadores de células inmunitarias (CD4+, CD25+, FoxP3), las citoquinas y los parámetros de estrés oxidativo. Para el ámbito de la ASH, los hallazgos son notables porque demuestran que un extracto derivado de Hirudo ejerce efectos inmunomoduladores —específicamente la activación de células T reguladoras CD4+CD25+FoxP3 y el desplazamiento del equilibrio de citoquinas hacia mediadores antiinflamatorios (TGF-β, IL-10) al tiempo que reduce las señales proinflamatorias (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6)—, lo que sugiere que los componentes derivados de la sanguijuela pueden influir en la inmunidad mediada por células T más allá de las conocidas propiedades anticoagulantes asociadas con la terapia con sanguijuelas. Sin embargo, se trata de un modelo murino preclínico centrado en una enfermedad parasitaria aviar; no implica el uso de sanguijuelas vivas ni hirudoterapia convencional, utiliza antígenos de extracto en lugar de secreciones salivales, y los hallazgos pueden tener una traducción directa limitada a las aplicaciones clínicas de la terapia con sanguijuelas.
Citación
Therapeutic effects of Hirudo medicinalis extract antigens on modulation of CD4
Al-Sayed S et al. · Veterinary parasitology, 2022
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026