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Nitrotyrosine localization to dermal nerves in borderline leprosy
T Schön1, R Hernández-Pando, J Baquera-Heredia
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden. t.schon@telia.com
The British Journal of Dermatology
|March 20, 2004
Summary
Nitrotyrosine (NT) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were found in leprosy nerve lesions. These findings suggest nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite may contribute to nerve damage in borderline leprosy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Nerve damage is a significant complication of leprosy, with its cause not fully understood.
- Leprosy skin lesions are known to produce nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite, which can damage myelin lipids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the location of nitrotyrosine (NT), a marker of peroxynitrite activity, in leprosy lesions affecting dermal nerves.
- To investigate the role of peroxynitrite in granulomatous reactions impacting peripheral nerves in leprosy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy were used to examine biopsies from untreated leprosy patients.
- The study focused on the localization of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and NT in dermal nerves within granulomas.
Main Results:
- Macrophages positive for NT and iNOS were abundant in borderline leprosy granulomas that infiltrated peripheral nerves.
- Immunoelectron microscopy revealed NT presence in neurofilament aggregates and the cell wall of Mycobacterium leprae.
Conclusions:
- The presence of NT and iNOS suggests that NO and peroxynitrite are involved in nerve damage.
- These findings implicate oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of nerve damage in borderline leprosy.