Nitric oxide and respiratory helminthic diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a very simple molecule that displays very important functions both in helminths (mainly those involved in respiratory pathology) and in mammalian hosts. In this paper we review four issues related to interaction of NO and lung helminthic diseases. Firstly, we evaluated data available on the NO synthesis and release by helminths and their biological role. Next, we summarized the effect of antigens obtained from different phases of the biological cycle on NO production by host mammalian cells (mainly from human sources). Thirdly, we revised the evaluation of NO on the biological activities and/or the viability of respiratory helminths. Lastly, the deleterious consequences of increased production of NO during helminthic human infection are detailed.

1. Introduction

Many helminths are frequently in contact with pulmonary cells inducing lung injury (Box 1) which has different clinical manifestations (Table 1). During the helminthic lung infection there are many molecular interactions between inflammatory cells and helminths. Among them, nitric oxide (NO) is an important molecule involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases (Box 2).

Box 1

Table 1

Clinical-biological pattern in pulmonary helminthic diseases.

Clinical-biological patterns	Subtypes	Syndrome	Parasites
Pulmonary mass or nodule			E. granulosus
			D. immitis
Pulmonary infiltrates	No extrapulmonary	Löffler's Syndrome	Ascaris sp.
			A. duodenale
			N. americanus
		Tropical eosinophilia	W. bancrofti
			B. malayi
			B. timori
	Extrapulmonary	Katayama's Syndrome	Schistosoma sp.
		Visceral larva migrans	Toxocara sp.
		Hyperinfection Syndrome	Strongyloides sp.
Miliar pattern/Pulmonary hypertension			Schistosoma sp.
Pleural effusion			Paragonimus sp.
Inflammatory myopathy			Trichinella sp.

Box 2

The interaction between NO and helminths could be dissected in different issues that are reviewed in this paper: firstly, the NO production by different stages of the biological cycle of these parasites; secondly, the effect of helminth antigens on NO release by host cells; thirdly, the effect of NO on some helminths; and lastly, the pathological consequences derived from the increased NO production in helminthic diseases.

2. Do Helminths Produce NO?

There is fragmentary information available about the NO production by different helminths. This is due to the different techniques utilized in these studies (e.g., immunohistochemistry, histochemical techniques (NADPH diaphorase), functional studies (use of inhibitors)) together with the absence of systematic studies in all helminth species.

NO-Synthase (NOS) enzymes or NO-activity-derived products (nitrites or nitrotyrosine) have been detected in different locations of adult worms. This is the case of neural NOS (nNOS) which it has been mainly found in the nervous tissue of Schistosoma mansoni [1] and, in the same way, inducible NOS (iNOS) in the parenchyma of Schistosoma mansoni and in the subtegument of Schistosoma japonicum [2]. Additionally, NO release in living schistosomes has been demonstrated by Kohn et al. [3], suggesting a functional role for the NO in the schistosome biology.

The presence of NOS has been also demonstrated in other helminths; for example, its functional activity has been detected in different nervous structures (central, peripheral, and enteric) and the hypodermis of the nematode Ascaris suum [4-6]. Similar distribution appears in Toxocara canis [7]. NOS is located in the muscular wall from adult worms in Brugia malayi, Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema vitae filariae [8, 9]. Expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) has been detected in the cuticle and stichocytes from Trichinella britovi [10]. Nitrites have been detected in the hydatid liquid of fertile Echinococcus granulosus, although NOS expression has not been identified yet [11]. Finally, expression of iNOS and nNOS has been detected in the parenchyma and nervous structures of the filariform larvae from Strongyloides venezuelenesis (unpublished data). Moreover, NOS expression has also been demonstrated in other phases, such as eggs, sporocysts, and cercariae of Schistosoma sp. [2] and other structures as oocytes, spermatozoids, and embryonic forms of Brugia malayi [8].

NO is essential in different biological functions of some helmints; among them neurotransmission at the nervous and muscular levels is the best characterized [1, 4, 12]. NO is involved in muscular relaxation and is a mediator of a variety of neuropeptides on their activity in the ionic channels (e.g., of potassium) [13]. The detection of NOS in embryonic stages of different helminths and the role of this mediator in other species (e.g., Drosophila) suggest that NO plays an important role in the control of proliferation and differentiation during embryogenesis [8]. In this sense, helminths seem as other invertebrates (i.e., Drosophila spp, I obsolete) in the involvement of NO as an essential development signal [14-16]. Finally, NO plays an important role in the detoxification of free radicals of oxygen at least in two types of helminths: firstly, the hemoglobine from Ascaris lumbricoides functions as a deoxygenase, using NO to eliminate oxygen [17, 18]; secondly, NO stimulates the haemooxygenase activity in the nurse cell of Trichinella britovi, as an useful strategy to control the “oxidative burst” that takes place after the invasion of the muscular cells [10].

3. Do Helminths Induce NO Production by the Host Cells, and if So, How They Do It?

There are several pieces of evidence indicating that helminths induce NO production by the host cells. Firstly, the presence of products derived from this molecule (mainly nitrites and nitrates) has been directly measured in the sera of humans affected by different parasitic infections, such as hydatidosis and schistosomiasis where it has been shown an increase in the production of nitrites [19, 20]. Specifically, a positive correlation was found between NO production and severe clinical data in hydatidosis [21].

A second group of studies was constituted by the detection or different NO related products in experimental models of parasite infection. Thus, mice infected with E. multilocularis demonstrated an increase in iNOS expression in peritoneal macrophages [22]. Furthermore, in a hepatic schistosomiasis model induced by eggs of S. japonicum, an increase on the expression of iNOS has been detected in inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages, Kuppfer cells), and hepatocytes [23]. Also, an increase in the concentration of nitrites in serum, accumulation of nitrosilated products (nitrotyrosine) and expression of iNOS in inflammatory hepatic cells has been detected in experimental toxocariosis [7]. Expression of transmural iNOS in jejunum has been observed in experimental infection with Trichinella spiralis larvae [24] and expression of iNOS has been also observed in cells of inflammatory infiltrates around larvae in skeletal muscles of Trichinella spiralis-infected mice [25]. In vivo administration of S. mansoni antigens (e.g., p38) plus IL-2 gives rise to granulomas in which an increase in the expression of iNOS is detected [26]. Our research group studied the concentration of nitrites in the urine of mice experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Mice infected with S. venezuelensis had high values of nitrites at the second postinfection day, corresponding with the passage of the larvae through the lungs (unpublished data).

Thirdly, the stimulation of NO production induced by parasite antigens has been evaluated by cell cultures. The results obtained by our research group demonstrated three well-differentiated aspects, according to the helminth species, the type of antigen from the same parasite, and the kind of inflammatory cell utilized in the experiment (Figure 1). Firstly, there are opposed effects on the NO production according to the groups of helminths studied. We compared the effect of Echinococcus granulosus- and Echinococcus multilocularis-defined metacestode structural and metabolic antigens on the NO production by rat alveolar macrophages. Our results showed that none of these antigens could stimulate macrophage NO production. Moreover, some Echinococcus antigens inhibit in vitro NO production when cells were previously exposed to lipopolisacharide (LPS) stimulation. This inhibitory effect was also seen when Echinococcus multilocularis laminated-layer or cysts wall soluble components from both species were used in the experiment [27]. On the other hand, different effects were observed when macrophages were incubated with antigens from Paragonimus mexicanus and Schistosoma bovis. We have observed that excretory-secretory products from Paragonimus mexicanus adult worms trigger NO production from alveolar macrophages in vitro in a specific and concentration-dependent manner [28]. Our results also demonstrated that the stimulation of NO production by alveolar macrophages was accompanied by an increase in iNOS mRNA detection. In this study, we demonstrated that specific excretory-secretory antigens from Schistosoma bovis adult worms did not induce in vitro NO release from alveolar macrophages. This could be explained because some of these parasites specifically localize in the lungs (e.g., Paragonimus sp.), whereas others migrate through the lungs and definitively settle in other organs (e.g., Schistosoma sp.).

Figure 1

Effect of NO production by alveolar macrophages stimulated with different helminth antigens. Nonstimulated (ϕ), LPS-stimulated macrophages (LPS), cyst wall (CW), total extract (TE), hydatid fluid (HF), soluble laminated-layer (LL), E14t recombinant 14-3-3 protein (E14t), excretory-secretory adult (ESA), and somatic adult (SA), excretory-secretory larvae (ESL3), somatic larvae (SL3). Helminths are represented in different colours.

Secondly, there are different effects in species of parasites from the same genus. We investigated the stimulatory/inhibitory role of L1 antigens from four encapsulated (Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelson- and Trichinella nativa) and one nonencapsulated (Trichinella pseudospiralis) species of Trichinella on NO production. Our results demonstrated that encapsulated and non-encapsulated Trichinella species differ in their ability to stimulate the NO secretion from the host macrophages [29]. These differences could be related to the complete and incomplete formation of the nurse cells in trichinellosis. Finally, we have studied the effect of different antigens, somatic and excretory/secretory of larval and adult worms of nematodes, on NO production from rat alveolar macrophages. We have observed that somatic antigens from the third stage larvae and excretory/secretory antigens from adult worms in Toxocara canis and Strongyloides venezuelensis stimulated the NO production from alveolar macrophages ([30]; unpublished data); similar data were found with Ascaris suum antigens [31].

We tried to define specific parasite molecules responsible for the stimulation of NO by nematode antigens. Thus, we assayed 10 protein fractions purified from Ascaris suum excretory/secretory adult worm antigens. The fraction-2 included three protein bands with molecular weights of 46, 44, and 37 kDa. The MALDI-peptide mass fingerprinting analysis showed similarities with two glycolytic enzymes (enolase and phosphoglycerate kinase) and with proteins involved in catalysing the elongation of peptide chains in protein biosynthesis (the elongation factor Tu). These proteins are crucial for survival and key components of the protein synthesis machinery [28]. We also analyzed different parasite proteins to define the specific Dirofilaria immitis somatic adult-worm antigens involved in host cell NO secretion. We identified a parasitic specific component (DiID35.3) which does not belong to the endosymbiont Wolbachia and which is intimately related to proteins of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily (ISP) group, triggering NO release from macrophages in a dose-dependent and specific manner [31].

The cellular receptor of antigens, and the intracellular transduction pathways, that trigger NO production have been precisely identified [32]. Our research group studied the cytoplasmatic signalling pathways involved in the NO production after stimulation with adult excretory/secretory antigen of Toxocara canis [33]. Our results suggested that both phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C macrophage pathways play an essential role in activating the production of NO triggered by this antigen. This suggests that NO production could be due to an increase of intracellular calcium and activation of the arachidonic acid pathway.

4. What Is the Biological Effect of NO Production on the Helminths?

The role of NO in the defence against the helminths is sustained by various types of studies, such as the utilization of NO donors in different experiments (both in vivo and in vitro) and the evaluation of their action on the stages of the biological cycle of the helminths. This strategy has been used to study the effect of this molecule on Echinococcus granulosus, Brugia malayi, and Trichinella spiralis. SNAP donors produced lesions and cell death in Echinococcus granulosus [34]; and similarly, SIN-1 had cytostatic effects in vitro on microfilariae and adult worms of Brugia malayi, being the adults more resistant [35]. Moreover, the use of different donor (DAE/NO) in an experimental model of filariosis inhibits the development of adult worms and alters its motility [36]. On the other hand, it has been observed that different donors of NO increased worm recovery in a trichinellosis experimental model [37, 38]. Moreover, induction of NO synthesis may have a negative effect on the host's immune response in a local environment. This, together with downregulation of mannose receptor expression, could participate in the survival strategy of the Trichinella spiralis in the host [39].

Our research group studied the effects of two NO donors, SIN-1 and SNOG, on Toxocara canis larvae at different concentrations. The results showed that none of the concentrations used from both donors or in combination with oxygen free radicals exerted any cytotoxic effect on Toxocara canis larvae [40]. Therefore, the stimulation of NO production by Toxocara canis larvae antigens does not seem to play any host-defensive role, in contrast to the deleterious effects attributed to this molecule upon other helminths, for example, filarial nematodes. We also utilized NO donors (with short, middle and long half life) to evaluate their effect on larvae and Strongyloides venezuelensis female adult worms where we could demonstrate a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect (unpublished data).

Interaction with oxygen free radicals or immunoglobulins may be considered to evaluate combined effect in host cells. Coculture of Echinococcus multilocularis protoescolices with prestimulated macrophages leads to the destruction of the parasite, being NO the mediator involved [41]. Moreover, peritoneal macrophages stimulated with γ-IFN cause damage in Echinococcus granulosus, similar to the damage produced by NO donors [34]. A similar effect occurs when Brugia malayi and Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae are cocultured with macrophages activated by γ-IFN [42]. Finally, other cells like Biomphalaria haemocytes are capable to destroy Schistosoma mansoni sporocysts [43].

NO synthesis inhibitors have been used in vivo to evaluate their effect on parasitic infection. This strategy has mainly been used in experimental models of filariosis by Brugia malayi [36], toxocariosis [40], trichinellosis [44], and strongyloidiasis (unpublished data). The results obtained are divergent, since the use of aminoguanidin diminishes the lesions in toxocariosis, whereas it increases the parasite load in filariosis and strongyloidiasis. Moreover, mice treated with aminoguanidine at the beginning of muscle phase of the infection inhibits the reduction of muscle larvae number [44] and cells of inflammatory infiltrates did not show any specific iNOS reaction [25]. A decrease in eggs in faeces and reduction of larvae in the lung and females in the intestine have been observed in experimental strongyloidiasis. A model of immunosuppression was developed in mice infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis administrated with dexametasone. Our results demonstrated the importance of NO in the defence against Strongyloides venezuelensis, since the immunosuppressed mice treated with aminoguanidin presented a very significant increase in both, the egg count and the larvae and female recoveries from the lung and intestine. Moreover, the use of antihelminthics (praziquantel, ivermectin and diethylcarbamacine) is associated with an increase in serum concentration of nitrites and nitrates. It has been interpreted that the antiparasitic activity of these drugs depends in part on NO release [45, 46].

As conclusion, it is important to highlight that the use of different experimental methods leads to contradictory results. For example, whereas in vitro studies demonstrated the role of NO in the destruction of schistosomules [47], in vivo studies did not support these results [48], probably because schistosomules are protected from the effect of NO by haemoglobin from red blood cells. Moreover, some authors suggested that NO is involved in the control of lymphatic filariosis [36, 42], whereas other question the role of this molecule in the clearance of microfilariae in knock-out mice model. [49].

5. What Pathological Consequences Are Derived from the Production of Nitric Oxide in the Host?

NO production by the host cells in response to helminth infections can cause adverse effects. Direct lesions or tissue functional alterations, immunosuppression, and carcinogenesis are the principal consequences. Trichinellosis [50-52], schistosomiasis and dirofilariosis [3] are the main examples of structural and functional direct lesions. It has been demonstrated that NO released in response to some helminths leads to immunosuppression, with low proliferative response of splenocytes or apoptosis induction of CD4 lymphocytes. Infections by Echinococcus multilocularis [22, 53] and filariosis [54] are the best characterised examples. Finally, the release of NO in response to the infection by S. haematobium seems to play an important role in the bladder cancer, through modifications of the p53 protein [55].

Our research group studied the influence of the inhibition of the NO production in a toxocariosis experimental model. The results clearly suggested that in vivo inhibition of the NO synthesis by iNOS decreases the deleterious effects of the parasite upon the host, especially the lung vascular alterations. We could show that in vivo NO production induced by infection with Toxocara canis results in direct damage to the host. This induction constitutes an evasion/adaptation mechanism of the parasite [40]. Moreover, Toxocara canis excretory/secretory adult antigen also stimulated alveolar macrophages to produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The addition of L-canavanine decreased the release of PGE2, which suggests that NO mediates the production of this molecule [30]. These results indicate that Toxocara canis can stimulate the release of vasodilatory mediators by host macrophages.

It is also important to indicate that in some helminthic diseases both excess and lack of NO can have deleterious effects for the host [56-58]. Excessive production of NO in schistosomiasis unleashes an acute response with direct hepatotoxicity and formation of granulomas with scarce fibrosis. However, a low NO production of this mediator is associated to chronic evolution of schistosomiasis with the development of intense fibrosis and granulomas of great size.

6. Conclusions and Future Perspectives

Nitrites or NOS has been detected in helminths at different stages of their biological cycle and in distinct anatomical structures. Stimulation of cells involved in the defence of the respiratory system (alveolar macrophages) with antigens from different biological stages of helminths has demonstrated that (i) antigens of cestodes inhibit the NO production, (ii) antigens of trematodes have different effects on its production, and (iii) antigens of nematodes stimulate the production of this mediator. It has been demonstrated that somatic antigens of larvae and excretory/secretory of adult worms induce the NO production in nematodes such as Toxocara or Strongyloides. Moreover, there are differences between the cystic and noncystic species of Trichinella in their capacity to stimulate the production of nitric oxide. These differences could be related to the complete and incomplete formation of the nurse cells in trichinellosis.

In an attempt to advance in the study of the molecules responsible for the stimulation of NO production, two glucolytic enzymes (enolase and phosphoglycerate kinase) and a protein that catalyses the elongation of peptide chains named Tu elongation factor have been identified in A. suum. A protein of D. immitis has also been recognised which is related to the Immunoglobulin Superfamily Protein (ISP).

The information obtained regarding the biological effects that NO production unleashes on the parasite or on the host is contradictory. NO is not harmful on Toxocara canis, whereas it kills larvae and adults of Strongyloides venezuelensis. In addition, NO plays an important role in the defence against strongyloidosis; its absence might even play a role in hyperinfection syndrome caused by this parasite. Furthermore, NO production constitutes an evasion mechanism in toxocariosis.

Finally and given that (i) VEGF (vascular endothelium growth factor) and FGF2 (fibroblastic growth factor) are important molecules in angiogenesis, performing other essential functions in inflammation (e.g., chemotaxis), (ii) alveolar macrophages, and specifically human alveolar macrophages, express VEGF, (iii) NO and VEGF are molecules with an intimate functional relationship, (iv) angiogenesis plays an important role in some helminthic diseases (schistosomiasis, onchocercosis, trichinellosis), and (v) the role of the helminths in the production of these factors is not well known, the study of the production of angiogenic factors in the respiratory helminthic diseases and the analysis of their biological effects would be of great interest to the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of these infections.