Schistosome infection promotes osteoclast-mediated bone loss.

Infection with schistosome results in immunological changes that might influence the skeletal system by inducing immunological states affecting bone metabolism. We investigated the relationships between chronic schistosome infection and bone metabolism by using a mouse model of chronic schistosomias...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wei Li, Chuan Wei, Lei Xu, Beibei Yu, Ying Chen, Di Lu, Lina Zhang, Xian Song, Liyang Dong, Sha Zhou, Zhipeng Xu, Jifeng Zhu, Xiaojun Chen, Chuan Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021-03-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1009462&type=printable
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Summary:Infection with schistosome results in immunological changes that might influence the skeletal system by inducing immunological states affecting bone metabolism. We investigated the relationships between chronic schistosome infection and bone metabolism by using a mouse model of chronic schistosomiasis, affecting millions of humans worldwide. Results showed that schistosome infection resulted in aberrant osteoclast-mediated bone loss, which was accompanied with an increased level of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) Ligand (RANKL) and decreased level of osteoprotegerin (OPG). The blockade of RANKL by the anti-RANKL antibody could prevent bone loss in the context of schistosome infection. Meanwhile, both B cells and CD4+ T cells, particularly follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subset, were the important cellular sources of RANKL during schistosome infection. These results highlight the risk of bone loss in schistosome-infected patients and the potential benefit of coupling bone therapy with anti-schistosome treatment.
ISSN:1553-7366
1553-7374