Low CCL2 and CXCL8 Production and High Prevalence of Allergies in Children with Microcephaly Due to Congenital Zika Syndrome
Wallace Pitanga Bezerra,
Amanda Costa Ayres Salmeron,
Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco,
Ingryd Camara Morais,
Valéria Soraya de Farias Sales,
Paula Renata Lima Machado,
Janeusa Trindade Souto,
Josélio Maria Galvão de Araújo,
Paulo Marcos da Matta Guedes,
Maria Notomi Sato,
Manuela Sales Lima Nascimento
Affiliations
Wallace Pitanga Bezerra
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil
Amanda Costa Ayres Salmeron
Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaiba 59280-000, RN, Brazil
Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
Ingryd Camara Morais
Virology Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-190, RN, Brazil
Valéria Soraya de Farias Sales
Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil
Paula Renata Lima Machado
Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil
Janeusa Trindade Souto
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil
Josélio Maria Galvão de Araújo
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil
Paulo Marcos da Matta Guedes
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil
Maria Notomi Sato
Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
Manuela Sales Lima Nascimento
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil
Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is associated with an increased risk of microcephaly in affected children. This study investigated the peripheral dysregulation of immune mediators in children with microcephaly due to CZS. Gene expression quantified by qPCR in whole blood samples showed an increase in IFNγ and IL-13 transcripts in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. The microcephaly group exhibited significantly decreased CCL2 and CXCL8 levels in serum, quantified by CBA assay. An allergic profile questionnaire revealed a high prevalence of allergies in the microcephaly group. In accordance, elevated serum IgE level measured by the Proquantum Immunoassay was observed in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. Altogether, these findings show a persistent systemic inflammation in children with microcephaly due to CZS and suggest a possible impairment in leukocyte migration caused by low production of CCL2 and CXCL8, in addition to high levels of IgE associated with high prevalence of allergies. The dysregulation of inflammatory genes and chemokines underscores the importance of understanding the immunological characteristics of CZS. Further investigation into the long-term consequences of systemic inflammation in these children is crucial for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies and tailored vaccination protocols.
