Cytokines dynamics in a wistar rat model infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis strain H37Rv.

BACKGROUND

The immunology characteristics of the rat model of tuberculosis (TB) infection are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of pathology and cytokines in a rat model infected with Mycobacterium TB (MTB).

METHODS

Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, namely the control group (without MTB infection) and the MTB -induced group (observations at week-3, week-6, and week-12 postinfection). Granuloma formation was analyzed by histology procedure. Analysis of the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12 was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

RESULTS

The number and size of the ganulomas increased proportionally between weeks 6 and 12 postinfection. Several cytokines, namely IL-6, IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12 significantly increased in the 6th week compared to the 3rd week after infection (P < 0.05). These cytokines decreased significantly at the 12th week compared to the 6th week (P < 0.05). TNF-α was found to be stable at the third and 6th weeks and then decreased at the twelfth postinfection week. For IL-12, the longer the infection time, the higher the level.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that there was a typical pattern of TB infection in Wistar rats, namely certain cytokines that peaked at week 6 of infection. Thus, TB infection in rats can be a model for early-phase TB study.