Scopelliti Fernanda, Cattani Caterina, Gimmelli Roberto, Dimartino Valentina, Lalli Cristiana, Papoff Giuliana, Napoli Christian, Ruberti Giovina, Cavani Andrea
National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty INMP/NIHMP, Rome, Italy.
Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 May 30;19(5):e0013132. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013132. eCollection 2025 May.
Tissue damage in Schistosoma mansoni infection results from a granulomatous, T cell-mediated response to parasite eggs, leading to liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. This immune response, initially Th1-dominated, progressively shifts toward a Th2 profile, contributing to hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and fibrosis. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed T cell responses to soluble egg antigens (SEA) in 121 T cell clones (Tcc) from S. mansoni-infected patients. All clones produced high levels of IL-13 upon anti-CD3 stimulation; a minority secreted IFN-γ (n = 33) or IL-10 (n = 38). Notably, 51 clones co-produced IL-22 and IL-13. To investigate IL-22's role, we examined IL-22 receptor (IL-22R) expression on human M0 and M2 macrophages. Both subsets expressed IL-22R, and its engagement triggered phosphorylation of p38, STAT3, and STAT5. IL-22 also downregulated IL-13-induced M2 markers (CD163, CD200R). Furthermore, IL-22 treatment of HSCs inhibited IL-13-driven collagen I/III production and cell proliferation. These results suggest that IL-22-producing T cells modulate Th2 macrophage polarization and directly suppress fibrogenesis in HSCs. IL-22 may thus act as a regulatory cytokine counteracting liver fibrosis during schistosomiasis.
曼氏血吸虫感染中的组织损伤源于对寄生虫卵的肉芽肿性、T细胞介导的反应,导致肝纤维化和门静脉高压。这种免疫反应最初以Th1为主导,逐渐向Th2型转变,促进肝星状细胞(HSC)活化和纤维化。然而,确切的调控机制仍不清楚。在本研究中,我们分析了来自曼氏血吸虫感染患者的121个T细胞克隆(Tcc)对可溶性虫卵抗原(SEA)的T细胞反应。所有克隆在抗CD3刺激后均产生高水平的IL-13;少数分泌IFN-γ(n = 33)或IL-10(n = 38)。值得注意的是,51个克隆共同产生IL-22和IL-13。为了研究IL-22的作用,我们检测了人M0和M2巨噬细胞上IL-22受体(IL-22R)的表达。两个亚群均表达IL-22R,其结合触发p38、STAT3和STAT5的磷酸化。IL-22还下调了IL-13诱导的M2标志物(CD163、CD200R)。此外,用IL-22处理HSCs可抑制IL-13驱动的I/III型胶原产生和细胞增殖。这些结果表明,产生IL-22的T细胞调节Th2巨噬细胞极化并直接抑制HSCs中的纤维化形成。因此,IL-22可能作为一种调节性细胞因子在血吸虫病期间对抗肝纤维化。