The absence of MyD88 has no effect on the induction of alternatively activated macrophage during Fasciola hepatica infection

Abstract

Background: Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMφ{symbol}) play important roles in allergies and responses to parasitic infections. However, whether signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays any role in AAMφ{symbol} induction when young Fasciola hepatica penetrates the liver capsule and migrates through the liver tissue is still unclear.Results: The data show that the lack of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) has no effect on the AAMφ{symbol} derived from the bone marrow (BMMφ{symbol}) in vitro and does not impair the mRNA expression of arginase-1, resistin-like molecule (RELMα), and Ym1 in BMMφ{symbol}s. The Th2 cytokine production bias in splenocytes was not significantly altered in F. hepatica-infected mice in the absence of MyD88 in vitro and in the pleural cavity lavage in vivo. In addition, MyD88-deficiency has no effect on the arginase production of the F. hepatica elicited macrophages (Fe Mφ{symbol}s), production of RELMα and Ym1 proteins and mRNA expression of Ym1 and RELMα of macrophages in the peritoneal cavity 6 weeks post F. hepatica infection.Conclusions: The absence of MyD88 has no effect on presence of AAMφ{symbol} 6 weeks post F. hepatica infection. © 2011 Luo et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.