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Impact of pulmonary African trypanosomes on the immunology and function of the lung

Author

Listed:
  • Dorien Mabille

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Laura Dirkx

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Sofie Thys

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Marjorie Vermeersch

    (Université libre de Bruxelles
    Université libre de Bruxelles)

  • Daniel Montenye

    (Université libre de Bruxelles
    Université libre de Bruxelles)

  • Matthias Govaerts

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Sarah Hendrickx

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Peter Takac

    (Slovak Academy of Sciences
    Scientica, Ltd.)

  • Johan Van Weyenbergh

    (Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven)

  • Isabel Pintelon

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Peter Delputte

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Louis Maes

    (University of Antwerp)

  • David Pérez-Morga

    (Université libre de Bruxelles
    Université libre de Bruxelles)

  • Jean-Pierre Timmermans

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Guy Caljon

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

Approximately 20% of sleeping sickness patients exhibit respiratory complications, however, with a largely unknown role of the parasite. Here we show that tsetse fly-transmitted Trypanosoma brucei parasites rapidly and permanently colonize the lungs and occupy the extravascular spaces surrounding the blood vessels of the alveoli and bronchi. They are present as nests of multiplying parasites exhibiting close interactions with collagen and active secretion of extracellular vesicles. The local immune response shows a substantial increase of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and γδ and activated αβ T cells and a later influx of neutrophils. Interestingly, parasite presence results in a significant reduction of B cells, eosinophils and natural killer cells. T. brucei infected mice show no infection-associated pulmonary dysfunction, mirroring the limited pulmonary clinical complications during sleeping sickness. However, the substantial reduction of the various immune cells may render individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections, as evident by a co-infection experiment with respiratory syncytial virus. Collectively, these observations provide insights into a largely overlooked target organ, and may trigger new diagnostic and supportive therapeutic approaches for sleeping sickness.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorien Mabille & Laura Dirkx & Sofie Thys & Marjorie Vermeersch & Daniel Montenye & Matthias Govaerts & Sarah Hendrickx & Peter Takac & Johan Van Weyenbergh & Isabel Pintelon & Peter Delputte & Louis , 2022. "Impact of pulmonary African trypanosomes on the immunology and function of the lung," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34757-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34757-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Hien Thi Thu Pham & Stefan Magez & Boyoon Choi & Bolortsetseg Baatar & Joohee Jung & Magdalena Radwanska, 2023. "Neutrophil metalloproteinase driven spleen damage hampers infection control of trypanosomiasis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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