Inhibition of MCP-1 and MIP-2 chemokines in murine trichinellosis: effect of the anti-inflammatory compound L-mimosine

Mimosine is a plant amino-acid which has been reported to block DNA replication in mammalian cells and to arrest cell reversibly towards the end of the G1 phase or at the beginning of the S phase. In this study, 42 mice were infected with T. spiralis a nematode parasite, and treated with the anti-inflammatory compound L-mimosine, to determine if any alteration in the chronic inflammatory state occurred, by investigating the hosts immunological response. MCP-1, a C-C chemokine and MIP-2, a C-X-C chemokine were tested and calculated in the sera of infected animals, after 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days post infection, by ELISA method. The diaphragm and the masseters of the infected mice, were tested for inflammatory response. Here we found, that MCP-1 was partially inhibited by L-mimosine, while MIP-2 was totally inhibited. Moreover in sections of the diaphragm and masseters, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, lymphocytes and eosinophils were more intense in untreated animals compared to those treated with L-mimosine. These findings show, that L-mimosine may have an inhibitory effect on MCP-1 and MIP-2 serum levels in Trichinellosis and may influence the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction in this parasitic disease.