Therapeutic potential of hookworm proteins in promoting regulatory immune responses to modulate Trypanosoma cruzi induced liver inflammation and oxidative stress

Abstract

BACKGROUND  Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes significant liver pathology, and current antiparasitic treatments often worsen hepatic damage. Hookworm-derived proteins have shown immunomodulatory effects in inflammatory diseases, including T. cruzi-induced myocarditis.

OBJECTIVE  This study evaluates recombinant hookworm proteins AIP-1 and AIP-2 for treating liver inflammation in a murine model of chronic Chagas disease (CD).

METHODS  Female BALB/c mice infected with T. cruzi were treated with AIP-1 or AIP-2 (1 mg/kg) for seven days. Controls were untreated or received aspirin (25 mg/kg) for 14 days. Liver tissues were analyzed for parasite burden (quantitative polymerase chain reaction - qPCR), histopathology (H&E, Picrosirius Red), and cytokines (multiplex assay). Splenocytes were assessed by flow cytometry, and serum was tested for liver enzyme levels.

FINDINGS  AIP-1 and AIP-2 increased hepatic interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), decreased Nfκ-B and Stat-1, and elevated Arg1 and Nos2 expression. AIP-1 uniquely upregulated Mmp9 and Btg2. Increased splenic CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ and CD11b⁺Ly6G^loLy6C⁺ cells were observed. Despite increased immune cell infiltration, parasite load and fibrosis remained unchanged, and liver enzyme levels were stable.

MAIN CONCLUSION   AIP-1 and AIP-2 reduce hepatic inflammation and promote a balanced T_H1/T_H2 response, likely mediated by regulatory dendritic and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, supporting their potential as immunotherapeutic for T. cruzi-induced liver pathology.

Key words:
immunomodulation; hookworm; Trypanosoma cruzi ; liver