immunology of infectious and parasitic diseases - XXXVII Congress ...

Plasmodium berghei ANKA mRNA in the lungs 7 days post infection were
higher in the ALI/ARDS group compared to the HP group (qRTPCR). We
observed an increase in neutrophils, measured by Ncf2 mRNA expression
(qRTPCR) and also by Gr-1 + CD11b - expression (flow cytometry) in the lungs
of the ALI/ARDS group compared to the HP group. An increase of neutrophils
was also observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (light microscopy). We
observed larger numbers of alveolar macrophages (F4/80 + /CD11C + ) and fewer
interstitial macrophages (F480 + ) in the ALI/ARDS group compared to the HP
group (flow cytometry). We also observed inflammatory monocytes (F480 + Gr-
1 + CD11b + ). Besides, we also found increases in mRNA expression of iCAM-1
and also of HO-1, IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) and IFNγ (pro-inflammatory) genes,
however no differences in mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, IL1-β, TGFβ
and iNOS, VCAM or KC, in lungs of the ALI/ARDS group compared to the HP
group (qRTPCR). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that accumulation of P.
berghei in the lungs results in an increased inflammatory response and that
neutrophils and alveolar macrophages play a role in ALI/ARDS development.
We hypothesize that the neutrophil recruitment is partly dependent on increased
ICAM-1 expression and that the high IL-10 mRNA expression is an attempt to
re-establish homeostasis.
FINANCIAL SUPORT: CAPES, CNPQ and FAPESP