The effect of anthelmintic drugs on human leukocyte gene expression in vitro

Ivermectin and Diethylcarbamizine (DEC) are used in the elimination programs for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. It has been proposed that the drugs may have an effect on the host immune system that aids in parasite killing/elimination. We tested this directly by exposing human neutrophils and monocytes to the drugs in vitro. Five biological replicates were performed. Neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were purified from five different human donors and exposed to ivermectin or DEC, or a DMSO vehicle control for 1 hour (neutrophils) or 16 hours (PBMC) in vitro. RNA was then extracted and transcriptional profiles of each cell type were analyzed by RNA-Seq.