Trichinella spiralis - induced modulation of IFN-γ and TGF-β shapes host immunity to support chronic infection

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Elsaid A.F.A.; Shalash I.R.; El-Derbawy M.M.; El Faramawy M.S.; Zaalouk T.K.

Journal: The Egyptian journal of immunology

Publication Date: 1 April 2026

Volume / Issue: Volume 33 / Issue 2

Pages: 1–13

ISSN: 11104902

DOI: 10.55133/eji.330201

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 41966500

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Elsaid A.F.A., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt; Shalash I.R., Department of Medical Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Derbawy M.M., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt; El Faramawy M.S., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Zaalouk T.K., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Trichinella spiralis is a widely prevalent foodborne helminth that establishes chronic infection through modulation of host immunity. This study investigated the temporal dynamics of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and intestinal TGF-β receptor II expression during experimental infection and examined their relationship to parasite burden and tissue pathology. Forty Swiss albino mice were orally infected with 250-300 larvae and sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-infection. Adult worms and muscle larvae were quantified, serum cytokines measured by ELISA, and intestinal TGF-β receptor II expression evaluated immunohistochemically. Adult worm burden peaked at 7 dpi and declined sharply thereafter, with clearance by 28 dpi. Muscle larvae accumulated progressively, reaching ~1 × 10⁴ larvae/mouse at 28 dpi. IFN-γ peaked at 7 dpi then declined, while TGF-β increased steadily and remained elevated during the muscle phase. A significant negative correlation was observed between IFN-γ and TGF-β (r = -0.42, p=0.012). TGF-β receptor II expression was up-regulated at 3-14 dpi and declined by 28 dpi. Histopathology revealed pronounced intestinal inflammation at 7-14 dpi with restoration by 28 dpi, while skeletal muscle displayed nurse cell-larva complexes. Findings demonstrate a coordinated shift from early IFN-γ-mediated inflammation to sustained TGF-β-driven regulation, supporting parasite persistence and limiting tissue injury. Copyright© by the Egyptian Association of Immunologists.

Keywords

Animals; Chronic Disease; Female; Interferon-gamma; Mice; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Trichinella spiralis; Trichinellosis; gamma interferon; transforming growth factor beta receptor; animal; immunology; metabolism; mouse; parasitology; trichinosis

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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