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Immunologic responsiveness in American cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions
C Pirmez1, C Cooper, M Paes-Oliveira
1Evandro Chagas Hospital, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|November 1, 1990
Summary
T memory cells, producing IFN-gamma, are key players in American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) pathogenesis. These cells are prevalent in both localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) lesions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Dermatology
Background:
- American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) involves skin and mucous membranes.
- T lymphocytes reactive to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis are implicated in protective immunity.
- Understanding the T cell infiltrate in ACL lesions is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the T cell inflammatory infiltrate in ACL lesions.
- To investigate the role of T cell subpopulations and IFN-gamma in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL).
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to define T cell subpopulations.
- In situ hybridization to detect messenger RNA (mRNA) for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).
Main Results:
- A predominance of T memory cells (CD4+CD45RO+) over T naive cells (CD4+CD45RA+) was observed in both LCL and MCL lesions.
- Equivalent percentages of cells containing IFN-gamma mRNA were found in both LCL and MCL lesions.
- T cells from both lesion types showed in vivo stimulation by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and equivalent in vitro proliferative responses.
Conclusions:
- T memory cells, likely producing IFN-gamma, are integral to the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.
- These T memory cells contribute to the pathogenesis of both LCL and MCL.