Immunological and inflammatory responses in the kidneys in experimental acanthamoebiasis

The pathomechanisms of <i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp. infection are still poorly understood. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, commonly known as cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2), and various cytokines in the kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with <i>Acanthamoeba</i> sp. (T16 genotype). The proteins were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. In immunocompetent mice, we observed increased mRNA levels of interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), PTGS2/COX-2, and interleukin (IL)-17A at the beginning of infection. While in the late stages, we found decreased levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, IFNγ, TNFα, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in the kidneys of infected hosts compared to uninfected ones. In immunosuppressed mice, we noted higher expressions of NLRP3, PTGS2/COX-2, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, IFNγ, TNFα, and MIP-2, and lower expression of IL-18 in the infected mice compared to the control group. The basic understanding of the immune response during <i>Acanthamoeba</i> sp. infection is critical to improving clinical outcomes and also has significant implications for developing therapeutic interventions. Here, we have reported the inflammatory responses in the kidneys infected with <i>Acanthamoeba</i> sp. However, additional studies are needed to understand the specific beneficial and detrimental roles of the cytokine response.IMPORTANCE<i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp. are significant biological factors and can cause rare infections characterized by high mortality and difficulty with treatment. One of the reasons <i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp. persist so effectively in the body is a lack of knowledge about the pathomechanisms and pathophysiology of infections. Recent studies showed that <i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp. can also infect the kidneys in the hosts, being an important cause of medical complications. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which <i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp. cause kidney injury could lead to more effective treatments for systemic acanthamoebiasis.