Interleukin-17A: a novel player in the treatment of liver lesions associated with cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

In the current study, we used an immunotherapeutic approach in female Swiss albino mice inoculated intraperitoneally with viable protoscoleces. We investigated the potential immunomodulatory effect and protective properties of IL-17A at 125 pg/mL on the development of secondary experimental echinococcosis. Swiss mice were inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 200 μL of a suspension containing 2000 viable protoscoleces to establish the infection model. IL-17A was administered intravenously two weeks after cystic echinococcosis (CE) induction. Cyst development and hepatic damage were macroscopically and histologically analysed. The hepatic expression of iNOS, TNF-α, NF-κB, CD68, and vimentin was examined. We observed that in vivo IL-17A treatment at 125 pg/mL reduced metacestode growth by 93.8%. Interestingly, treatment at this dose also led to decreased splenomegaly and improved liver tissue architecture. This was associated with a marked reduction in the fibrotic response, as evidenced by decreased collagen and reticulin fibre deposition. Moreover, IL-17A treatment resulted in reduced expression of key inflammatory and fibrotic markers, including iNOS, TNF-α, NF-κB, CD68, and vimentin, in the liver parenchyma. Our findings highlight the antihydatid and immunoprotective effects of IL-17A and support its potential therapeutic role in managing CE.