Insights on Blood Cytokines Production under Different In Vitro Mycobacterial Antigens in Tuberculosis Intestinal Parasites Co Infected Patients

Background: The concomitant presence of intestinal parasite infections (IP) and tuberculosis (TB) has relevance. M. tuberculosis immune response is associated with type 1 T helper cell (Th1) while IP is associated with type Th2 cell. However, there are several contradictory reports on cytokine production under coinfection and this could be in association to the mycobacterial antigens used in the studies. Aim: To get insight into the effects of different M. tuberculosis-specific antigens (ESAT-6/CFP-10 and 38 kDa/CFP-10) in generating of appropriate cytokines on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of IPTB co infected patients. Method: ELISA assessed IFN-γ and other 16 cytokines production and plasm IgE. In 18 months, we documented demographic, economic, clinical characteristics and IP frequency in individuals from Brazil. Results: An overall 10/35 (28.5%) were IPTB co infected and 40/76 (52.6%; p = 0.024) asymptomatic intestinal parasite infected community controls (IPCC). Endolimax nana (40%) and Entamoeba coli (22%), were the most nonpathogenic protozoan identified and Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis were the pathogenic species (40%). IgE was higher in IPCC (p = 0.036). Cytokine profiles were significantly biased toward a Th2 type IL-5 (p = 0.001) and IL-13 (p = 0.033), pro-inflammatory GM-CSF (p = 0.019) and borderline lower IL-1β in IPTB, all associated with ESAT-6/CFP-10, while IL-7 was borderline lower, but 38 How to cite this paper: Silva, R.J., Mello, F.C.Q., Leung, J.A., Moraes Neto, A.H.A., Fonseca, L.S., Siqueira, H.R., Health Care Victor Vala and CSEGSF Team and Saad, M.H.F. (2018) Insights on Blood Cytokines Production under Different In Vitro Mycobacterial Antigens in Tuberculosis Intestinal Parasites Co Infected Patients. Advances in Microbiology, 8, 161-174. https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2018.83011 Received: January 3, 2018 Accepted: March 18, 2018 Published: March 21, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access


Introduction
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a facultative intracellular pathogen whose host immune response plays a vital role in infection outcome.The immune control of this infection is dependent upon the cellular immune response, mediated predominantly by CD4+ and CD8+ cells, with T helper (Th) 1 cytokine production, as IFN-γ, the major component in stimulation/activation of macrophages in infection control and bacillus elimination [1].
Helminths and other parasites, as well as bacteria, fungi and some viruses, perpetrate neglected tropical diseases that affect low-income populations [2].
Recent studies suggest an overlap of TB and parasite endemic regions, which can result in coinfection [3].The chronic helminth infections are associated with Th2 immune response [4], and TB is dependent to effector response of Th1 cell.
Studies have reported, in TB/Helminth co infected patients, a decrease in the production of IL-2 and INF-γ [5] [6] [7] or an increase of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α [8] [9] [10] [11].In a study with CBA mice, with a serious form of schistosomiasis, there were significant reductions in IL-17, INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-23, IL-6 and IL-1β levels with increases of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TNF-β [12].On the other hand, despite other reports of decreases in INF-γ levels with increases in IL-10, IL-4 and IL-5 were immeasurable [13].Observations in culture supernatants of whole blood stimulated with PPD (purified protein derivative) described decreased IFN-γ production in TB/helminth co infected individuals vaccinated with BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) [14].However, other authors have reported that coinfection does not affect IFN-γ production to Mtb infection [15] [16] [17].It is possible that different immunological findings linked to the recognition of different mycobacterial antigens use in those studies.Henceforth, in order to get insight that specific mycobacterial antigens may generate different Th1/Th2 pattern, we measured plasm IgE and the principal cytokines induced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of IP co infected donors and tuberculous patients.They were stimulated with two specific-Mtb antigens 38 kDa/CFP-10 and ESAT-6/CFP-10; both attractive alternatives for TB/infection diagnosis by interferon gamma release assay [18] [19] [20].

Study Participants and Ethical Statement
From June 2011 to December 2012, blood and one-stool samples were collected from control and TB patients.All attended at Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, School Center Germano Sinval Farias/FIOCRUZ, and Family Clinic Victor Valla (CFVV) seated in Manguinhos Complex, an urban slum area with high TB incidence rate, all in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.TB diagnostic followed the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria [21].A consent form was required prior to enrollment and collect samples.The feces were examined by Lutz method [22].All participants were ≥18 years old, negative serology for HIV.Patients groups included TB patients and asymptomatic community control positive for intestinal parasitism referred as IPTB and IPCC, respectively, tuberculous patients (TB) and healthy community controls (CC).Survey of participant socio-environment conditions were obtained on a structured questionnaire on age, education, income, domicile characteristic, drinking water and garbage collection.
The National Ethical Committee for Human Research n. 548/10 approved the study and all participants signed a written informed consent before samples donation.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) In Vitro Culture
PBMCs were isolated and cultured as previously described [18].Briefly, PBMCs were obtained from heparinized venous blood by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden).For the cell culture, 1 × 10 6 cells/ml were plated in triplicate in 96-well, flat-bottom microtiter plates (Nunc, Swedesboro, NJ) in 300 µl of RPMI 1640-HEPES supplemented with 20% autologous serum and 100 U/ml penicillin and streptomycin (Gibco, Paisley, United Kingdom) in the presence or absence of the antigens.The plates were placed at 37˚C in a humidified 5% CO 2 incubator for 5 days.Culture supernatants (200 µl/well for each triplicate) were pooled and then stored at −70˚C for further cytokine quantification.

Cytokines Detection
The IFN-γ was determined with the commercial kit based on immunoenzyme assay (ELISA), DuoSet IFN-γ kit (R&D, USA).Cut off was previously estab-Advances in Microbiology lished by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve as 100 pg/ml [18].The

Quantification of IgE
Plasm IgE levels were measured by AccuBindTM ELISA Microwells Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test system (Monobind, Inc., Lake Forest, CA), according to manufacturer's instructions.

Statistical Analysis
Statistical analyzes were performed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, v. 17.0; differences of means with p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.The nonparametric test was used to analyze significant differences when comparing the groups (Kruskal Wallis) and pairwise comparisons (Mann-Whitney).

Characteristics of Study Participants and Frequency of IP Infection
As showed in  species Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia sp. and three participants, respectively infected by Schistossoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides and by Enterobius vermicularis.Dual parasitism accounted for 25% (Table 2).

IPTB Coinfection Did Not Influence the Production of INF-γ Specific Antigens
Of 108 participants tested for IFN-γ production 36 were CC, 38 IPCC, 25 TB patients and 9 IPTB (Table 3).The IPTB exhibited a slightly lower average level of IFN-γ compared to that TB (p≥0.474) for both antigens, however, it was strongly high compared to that CC/IPCC (p<0.001).This tendency remained after stratifying them into infection by pathogenic versus nonpathogenic intestinal parasites (data not shown).(Table 3).

IPTB Coinfection Is Associated with Specific 38 kDa/CFP-10 Production of IL-8 Chemokine
The mean level of IL-8 was significantly increased associated to 38 kDa/CFP-10 stimuli in IPTB compared to both controls groups (p < 0.049).However, in response to ESAT-6/CFP-10 antigen, which compared with 38kDa/CFP-10, there was a significant expression in both CC groups (p ≤ 0.035).On the other hand, G-CSF chemokine lower mean level related to ESAT-6/CFP-10 stimuli in IP infected groups, but significance only for IPCC compared to both IP uninfected Cytokine mean results in units of pg/ml together with standard deviation (SD).N ▲ = Number of cases tested INF-gamma release assay.Significant difference of cytokine/chemokines production between groups and between antigen tested was calculated by Mann Whitney (***, p ≤ 0.0001; **, p ≤ 0.01; *, p ≤ 0.05).TB: tuberculosis patients; IPTB or IPCC: TB-intestinal parasites co infected or asymptomatic IP infected community control.Advances in Microbiology groups (p ≤ 0.045).Higher expression of this chemokine was significant in TB and IPCC in response to 38 kDa/CFP-10 compared to ESAT-6/CFP-10 stimuli (Table 3).

Discussion
In the present study, 45% of the studied individuals tested positive for IP, and among TB patients 28.5% were coinfected, a similar frequency to that in other studies [6] [15].However, prevalence > 50% has also been described [23] [24] [25].This difference may be associated with sociodemographic characteristics of the populations studied, as recruiting only symptomatic IPTB inpatient [24].
The higher rate of parasitism in asymptomatic controls (36%) was similar to other low-income populations in two other locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro (27.2% and 49.7%) [26].However, contrary to other Brazilians findings [13], 62% of positives in our study were infected with non-pathogenic protozoa, a commensal of the human gut, thus probably related to the bad quality available drinking water, despite most participants reporting access to municipally treated water.Thus, analyzes of the local water and soil are urgent in the area.
The impact of IP infections in the suppression of the Th1 immune response, essential for protection against TB, deregulating the immune system toward the Th2 branch remains contradictory.In order to test the hypothesis that part of this variable response may be associated to specific antigens of M. tuberculosis, we investigated the effects of 38kDa/CFP-10 and ESAT-6/CFP-10 on Th1/Th2 patterns in intestinal parasite infected TB patients.Several studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in the production of IFN-γ in IPTB [6] [9] [14].
However, our data reveal no significant impairment in the mean levels of this cytokine under both antigens stimuli.An increase of IFN-γ, in IPTB associated with the Th1 response in the initial stages of IP infection has been demonstrated, although only a few patients showed high levels of the cytokine [15] [27], which also was observed in the present study.Other have described a significant decrease of IL-12 and IFN-γ in LTBI patients co infected with filaria [9], the responses associated with PPD and culture filtrate antigens to stimulate T cells.It is possible that lack of significance in our study may be associated with the parasites not generating a severe decrease in the Th1 response, as with the filarial infection, or for the antigens studies the IFN-γ response is not significantly influenced by the IP infection.Advances in Microbiology The mean levels of all cytokines were not significantly different in IPTB vs TB, mainly for 38 kDa/CFP-10.However, we noted significant levels of the cytokines IL-1β, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10 and G-CSF for this antigen comparing to ESAT-6/ CFP-10 in TB patients.Thus possibly suggesting differential modulation in TB host.
The Th2 immunity arm activates several downstream effector mechanisms that promote parasite eradication or at least minimize host tissue damage.The Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13, leading to the production of B cell, immunoglobulin IgE and IgG subtypes, eosinophilia and mast cells inhibiting parasite invasion or dissemination [28].The significant partial Th2 cytokines expression (IL-5 and IL-13) in IPTB, associated to ESAT-6/CFP-10, is in accordance with the increased production of IgE.However, the failure in the significance related to TB could be that some TB patients harbor occult parasite infection and the study examined only a single stool sample from each participant.
Notwithstanding, this may not be the case because IgE level was significantly higher in the IPCC in relation to the CC group.Another possible explanation is that IgE has also risen in active TB, decreasing with treatment [29], and here most TB patients were free of treatment with a higher average of IgE (58.8 ± 71.6) compared to those treated (22.5 ± 27.6).However, our small sample size and/or no prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites such as A. lumbricoides, T. trichiuris or S. stercoralis as reported by others could also be associated [8].
Additionally, IPTB clearly increases partially the Th2 and pro-inflammatory GM-CSF cytokines levels (but not IL-10) associated to the ESAT-6/CFP-10 stimuli.Thus, the high production of these cytokines in IPTB may favor the enhancing susceptibility to TB infection.
Previous studies have shown the TB gravidity associated with disease progression and with a low immune response in a broad range of T cell to pathogens stimulation.Beside TNF-α, it was detected lower IL-1β and IL-7 levels in patients with poor TB clinical evolution after dead M. tuberculosis cell stimulation [30] [31].In our study, lower level of IL-1β was associated to ESAT-6/CFP-10, while IL-7 levels were lower but associated with 38 kDa/CFP-10.Thus, IP and different antigens may impair the immune response.IL-1β is important for walling off infection and preventing dissemination of microbial infection being of critical importance to control M. tuberculosis infection.In an animal model co infected with intestinal nematodes Heligmosomoides polygyrus and subsequently Schistosoma mansoni, there was a reduction in a number of eggs and proinflammatory cytokines as well as Th1 profile, including IL-1β [12].This authors suggests that presence of an intestinal parasite negatively influences IL-1β production, corroborating our findings.The IL-7 act upon T cell response development and in turn homeostasis, aiming to control the infection.Feske et al.
[32] identified IL-7 and IL-15 associated a high IFN-γ (ELISPOT ® ) in response to ESAT-6/CFP10 and cytomegalovirus antigens in TB patients.In our study there wasn't any significant difference for these cytokines related to ESAT-6/ CFP-10, however, IPTB in response to 38 kDa/CFP10 antigen, IL-7 slightly depress, together with INF-γ, was achieved (p ≥ 0.067), suggesting that different Mtb antigens can modulate the response in the IP infected host.However, as parasite treatment was not provided we could not be sure about recover in these cytokines modulation.
The IL-8, or CXC chemokine, an important neutrophil-activating factor, provides the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells to the site of infection [1] and pretreatment with IL-8 inhibit granuloma formation.Among the pro-inflammatory cytokines assayed in our study, the IL-8 was the only one significantly up-modulated in IPTB, although without significance as compared to TB, but associated to 38 kDa/CFP-10 stimuli.Active IL-8 may help to kill the pathogen and so initiate events that curb microorganism growth.These data suggest that increased production of IL-8 may be associated with stimuli used and the status of co infection may favor production of this chemokine.
Neutrophils are the most numerous types of lymphocytes, and the factors involved in their differentiation are G-CSF, IL-6, GM-CSF, and IL-13, which are critical in the activation of the antibacterial neutrophils response [33] [34].In our findings, the GM-CSF pro-inflammatory cytokine and the IL-13, together with IL-5, type Th2 cytokines were differentially express in IPTB, associated with ESAT-6/CFP-10, thus possibly suggesting differential modulation to the antigen in co infected TB host, which may play a role in either susceptibility to disease or enhanced disease severity [35].However, helminth specific treatment must provide to evaluate the effect on immune response reversion.
This study has, as major limitations, the reduced number of IPTB, the absence of prevalent pathogenic IP species and no surveillance of the evolution of the immune response after IP-specific therapy.However, our study suggests that in addition to parasite infections, mycobacterial antigens immune responses inducer may be an extra reason for these controversies.

Conclusion
This study underlines that: i) Coincident TB-intestinal parasites did not exert a significant inhibitory effect on IgE levels, as well as in IFN-γ production in response to either of two antigens, ii) however, cytokine profiles were partially significantly biased toward a Th2 type (IL-5 and IL-13) and a pro-inflammatory GM-CSF, and borderline lower to IL-1β, but associated with ESAT-6/CFP-10; while IL-7 was borderline lower, and IL-8 was significantly high related to both CC groups, with 38 kDa/CFP-10.Last, further studies before and after anthelminthic treatment are needed.

Table 1 .
Clinical, socioeconomic data on participants with or without intestinal parasite infection.

Table 2 .
Intestinal parasites infection data on community control individuals and tuberculosis patients.
IPTB or IPCC: intestinal parasites TB co infected patients and asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infected community controls.

Table 3 .
Mean cytokines levels produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of parasite infected or uninfected subjects.