Cryptosporidium parvum infection stimulates the secretion of TGF-β, IL-8 and RANTES by Caco-2 cell line

Cryptosporidium parvum is a common cause of diarrhea in humans. Although mild inflammatory mucosal infiltrate is usually observed, limited information is currently available on the pathogenic mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. The aim of this work was to investigate in vitro the influence of C. parvum infection on the secretion of lymphocyte-targeted chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IL-8), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, GM-CSF and IL-6) and TGF-β by human enterocytic Caco-2 cells. C. parvum infection stimulates IL-8, RANTES and TGF-β secretion by both the basal and apical side of caco-2 cells. A slight increase in TNF-α production by infected cells was observed in the apical compartment. Data suggest that enterocytic chemokines and/or TGF-β are involved in the initiation and regulation of the mucosal response to C. parvum infection.