Antinflammatory Effect of the Recombinant Calreticulin from Taenia solium on Human Cells

Chronic inflammatory diseases are highly prevalent worldwide. Currently prescribed treatments present a number of adverse side-effects, making necessary the quest for better options. Helminth eggs and excretion/secretion (ES) products induce Th2-type regulatory responses; partly alleviating the symptoms in animal models and patients. However, details of the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, particularly for human cells. Our group identified calreticulin, a ubiquitous and multifunctional protein, among the ES products produced by Taenia solium. Additionally, we demonstrated that a recombinant version (rTsCRT) promotes the release of IL-4, -5 and -10 from hamster mesenteric lymph node and splenic cells. Therefore, the aim of this work is to address the consequences of the interaction between rTsCRT and human cells, specifically in the context of cytokine induction. Monocytes and monocyte-derived human macrophages (MDMs) were obtained from buffy coats. These cells will be immunophenotypified by flow cytometry, staining for the following surface markers: CD14, HLA-DR and CD68. Supernatants from rTsCRT-stimulated monocytes and MDMs will be collected, and Th1 (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-12), Th2 (IL-4,) and regulatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines ELISA measured. Cytokine profiling results will be presented at the congress. In agreement with previous publications, it is expected that rTsCRT will favour the production of Th2-type/regulatory cytokines.