P2X7 Receptor Modulation of the Gut Microbiota and the Inflammasome Determines the Severity of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Ileitis.

ABSTRACT: In mice, oral Toxoplasma gondii infection induces severe ileitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7) on the inflammatory response to T. gondii-induced ileitis. Cysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii were used to induce ileitis. The infected mice were euthanized on day 8 and ileal tissue and peripheral blood were collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Ileal contractility, inflammatory mediators, inflammasome activation, quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression, and fecal microbiota were assessed using appropriate techniques, respectively. The infected P2X7-/- mice had greater disease severity, parasitic burden, liver damage, and intestinal contractility than the infected wild-type (WT) mic

SUBMITTER: Moreira-Souza ACA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9952899 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature