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Leishmania amazonensis infection in nude mice
M Terabe1, T Hatabu, H Takahashi
1Department of Molecular Immunology, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Experimental Animals
|June 22, 1999
Summary
T cell deficient nude mice infected with Leishmania amazonensis developed non-ulcerative cutaneous nodules. This highlights the critical role of T cells in the ulcer formation characteristic of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leishmania amazonensis causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, initiating as papules/nodules and progressing to ulceration in immunocompetent hosts.
- The pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis involves intracellular protozoan parasites infecting macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological changes in cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions in T cell deficient nude mice.
- To elucidate the role of T cells in the development of skin lesions caused by Leishmania amazonensis.
Main Methods:
- Infection of T cell deficient nude mice with L. amazonensis promastigotes.
- Histological examination of cutaneous lesions to analyze cellular infiltration and parasite presence.
Main Results:
- Nude mice infected with L. amazonensis developed non-ulcerative cutaneous nodules.
- Histological analysis revealed massive accumulation of vacuolated histiocytes containing amastigotes in nude mice lesions.
- Minimal infiltration of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells was observed in nude mice lesions compared to immunocompetent mice.
Conclusions:
- T cells are crucial for the ulcer formation observed in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
- The absence of T cells leads to non-ulcerative nodule development with significant histiocyte accumulation.