Cytokines and inflammatory mediators: Markers involved in interstitial damage to the pancreas in two dengue fever cases associated with acute pancreatitis

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 18;17(1):e0262785. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262785. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Dengue viral (DENV) infections can lead to acute pancreatitis and associated tissue damage. This study examined the pancreas from two fatal cases of DENV for histopathological changes as well as for the detection of cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators. Tissue sections were prepared for examination by ultrastructural and histopathological techniques. Sections from the pancreas of non-infected individuals were prepared in parallel as a control. The presence of viral replication in macrophages was detected by co-staining for the proteins NS3 and CD68 by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect cells that expressed cytokines and inflammatory mediators to characterize the inflammatory response. Edema, acinar necrosis and fibrosis areas associated with a mononuclear infiltrate were found in infected tissues. The major site of virus replication appeared to be macrophages based on their exclusive presentation of the viral protein NS3. Pancreatic tissues from the infected individuals also displayed increased levels of high mobility group box-1, caspase-3, gelatinase B and tumor necrosis factor alpha compared to controls. The presence of virus replicating macrophages in the pancreas was associated with multiple changes in tissue structure that included elevated levels of cytokines and inflammatory markers that may differentiate acute pancreatitis due to DENV infections from other causes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Dengue / complications*
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis / metabolism
  • Pancreatitis / pathology*
  • Pancreatitis / virology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators

Grants and funding

this research was funded by Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, grant number E-26/210.4001/2019, UERJ and Fiocruz. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. I am available for any questions.