Complement C3 deficiency enhances renal leptospiral load and inflammation while impairing T cell differentiation during chronic <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> infection.

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a neglected disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., affecting an estimated 1 million people annually and resulting in approximately 60,000 deaths. The disease can lead to hepatic, renal, and pulmonary dysfunctions and may contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease. The Complement System plays an important role in eliminating bacteria by lysis, generating opsonins and anaphylatoxins, which degranulate mastocytes and basophils, and attracting immune cells to the site of infection, among other important functions. We aimed to investigate the role of C3 during chronic infection by L. interrogans strain FIOCRUZ L1-130 (LIC) in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and C3 knockout (C3KO) mice, monitored for 15, 30, 60, 90, or 180 days post-infection (d.p.i.). L

SUBMITTER: Moura Midon L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12707143 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature