Vaccines (May 2023)

Evaluation of IL-35, as a Possible Biomarker for Follow-Up after Therapy, in Chronic Human <i>Schistosoma</i> Infection

  • Nadia Marascio,
  • Maria Teresa Loria,
  • Grazia Pavia,
  • Cinzia Peronace,
  • Neill James Adams,
  • Morena Campolo,
  • Francesca Divenuto,
  • Angelo Giuseppe Lamberti,
  • Aida Giancotti,
  • Giorgio Settimo Barreca,
  • Maria Mazzitelli,
  • Enrico Maria Trecarichi,
  • Carlo Torti,
  • Francesca Perandin,
  • Zeno Bisoffi,
  • Angela Quirino,
  • Giovanni Matera

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050995
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 5
p. 995

Abstract

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The host response to helminth infections is characterized by systemic and tissue-related immune responses that play a crucial role in pathological diseases. Recently, experimental studies have highlighted the role of regulatory T (Tregs) and B (Bregs) cells with secreted cytokines as important markers in anti-schistosomiasis immunity. We investigated the serical levels of five cytokines (TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-35) in pre- and post-treatment samples from chronic Schistosoma infected patients to identify potential serological markers during follow-up therapy. Interestingly, we highlighted an increased serum level of IL-35 in the pre-therapy samples (median 439 pg/mL for Schistosoma haematobium and 100.5 pg/mL for Schistsoma mansoni infected patients) compared to a control group (median 62 pg/mL and 58 pg/mL, respectively, p ≤ 0.05), and a significantly lower concentration in post-therapy samples (181 pg/mL for S. haematobium and 49.5 pg/mL for S. mansoni infected patients, p ≤ 0.05). The present study suggests the possible role of IL-35 as a novel serological biomarker in the evaluation of Schistosoma therapy follow-up.

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