Increased Toxoplasma gondii Intracellular Proliferation in Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cells (HTR8/SVneo Line) Is Sequentially Triggered by MIF, ERK1/2, and COX-2

In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that T. gondii increased MIF production by HTR8/SVneo cells, and it caused CD44 upregulation that activated the ERK 1/2-intracellular signaling pathway, leading to increased COX-2 expression and IL-8 production. In this regard, T. gondii can modulate key factors in HTR8/SVneo cells and this can explain the higher susceptibility of extravillous trophoblast cells to T. gondii infection when compared to other trophoblast cell populations. Data Availability The raw data supporting the conclusions of this manuscript will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher. Author Contributions IM and EF designed the experiments. RS, CM-M, BB, PG, MR, AG, FI, PF, and IM performed the experiments. RS, BB, AG, PF, and IM analyzed the data. BB, JM, and EF provided the reagents. IM, RS, PG, PF, and EF discussed the findings. BB, PF, JM, and EF reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript. Funding This work was supported by the Brazilian Researcher Agencies: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. Conflict of Interest Statement...
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research