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Lower expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and higher expression of arginase in rat alveolar macrophages are linked to their susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection.

ZJ, Zhao; J, Zhang; J, Wei; Z, Li; T, Wang; SQ, Yi; JL, Shen; TB, Yang; G, Hide; ZR, Lun

Lower expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and higher expression of arginase in rat alveolar macrophages are linked to their susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Thumbnail


Authors

Zhao ZJ

Zhang J

Wei J

Li Z

Wang T

Yi SQ

Shen JL

Yang TB

Lun ZR



Abstract

Rats are naturally resistant to Toxoplasma gondii infection, particularly the RH strain, while mice are not. Previous studies have demonstrated that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 of rodent peritoneal macrophages are linked to the mechanism of resistance. As an increasing number of studies on human and animal infections are showing that pulmonary toxoplasmosis is one of the most severe clinical signs from T. gondii infection, we are interested to know whether T. gondii infection in alveolar macrophages of rats is also linked to the levels of iNOS and arginase-1 activity. Our results demonstrate that T. gondii could grow and proliferate in rat alveolar macrophages, both in vitro and in vivo, at levels higher than resistant rat peritoneal macrophages and at comparable levels to sensitive mouse peritoneal macrophages. Lower activity and expression levels of iNOS and higher activity and expression levels of arginase-1 in rat alveolar macrophages were found to be linked to the susceptibility of T. gondii infection in these cells. These novel findings could aid a better understanding of the pathogenesis of clinical pulmonary toxoplasmosis in humans and domestic animals.

Citation

ZJ, Z., J, Z., J, W., Z, L., T, W., SQ, Y., …ZR, L. (2013). Lower expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and higher expression of arginase in rat alveolar macrophages are linked to their susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection. PLoS ONE, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063650

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date May 15, 2013
Deposit Date Mar 15, 2024
Publicly Available Date Mar 18, 2024
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063650
PMID 23691079

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