Circulating inflammatory mediators CCL2 and CXCL16 as biomarkers in Iraqi women infected with toxoplasmosis.

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the cause of the widespread but sometimes disregarded parasitic illness toxoplasmosis. Cytokines play an indispensable role in fostering an environment that is more conducive to pregnancy. Their intricate network of interactions allows for the observation of numerous modulatory consequences, such as cell migration, invasion, and gene expression. Among these, CCL2 (MCP-1) and CXCL16 have emerged as promising immunological biomarkers reflecting disease activity, inflammation, and tissue involvement. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), another name for C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), is a crucial chemotactic factor that attracts macrophages for the immunological response. CXCL16 is a unique chemokine that can be found in both transmembrane and soluble forms. Numerous inflammatory conditions in humans, such as interstitial lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, vascular disease, and hepatic injury, have been linked to CXCL16 expression. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between T. gondii seropositivity and concentrations of plasma markers (CCL2 and CXCL16) in Iraqi pregnant women. This study comprised 68 serum samples of Iraqi women, attended Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad. The levels of CCL2 and CXCL16 were measured using sandwich ELISA. Results of circulatory marker levels revealed a significant variation across all groups. Also, results revealed that the chemokines CCL2 and CXCL16 showed distinct timing in their concentrations throughout pregnancy. Their higher levels in late pregnancy among healthy pregnancies suggested a normal immune adaptation, while their elevated early levels in aborted cases may signal inflammatory processes linked to pregnancy loss. In conclusion, these results indicated that CCL2 and CXCL16 could serve as immunological biomarkers for monitoring pregnancy progression and identifying risk of pregnancy loss.