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Expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 in lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy lesions
A E C Kiszewski1, E Becerril, J Baquera
1Department of Pathology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Calle Vasco de Quiroga 15, CP 14000, Tlalpán, Mexico DF, Mexico.
Background:
Leprosy is an infectious disease with two polar forms, tuberculoid leprosy (TL) and lepromatous leprosy (LL), which are dominated by T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells, respectively. High concentrations of prostaglandin E2 produced by the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in LL could inhibit Th1 cytokine production, contributing to T-cell anergy.
Objectives:
To compare the COX-2 expression in LL and TL.
Methods:
Skin biopsies from 40 leprosy patients (LL, n = 20; TL, n = 20) were used to determine by immunohistochemistry and automated morphometry the percentage of COX-2 immunostained cells.
Results:
Most COX-2-positive cells were macrophages; their percentages in the inflammatory infiltrate located in the papillary dermis, reticular dermis and periadnexally were significantly higher in LL than TL (P < 0.001 by Student's t-test).
Conclusions:
The high expression of COX-2 in LL may be related to high prostaglandin production contributing to T-cell anergy.