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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
In vivo Imaging of Transgenic Leishmania Parasites in a Live Host
Published on: July 27, 2010
Role of IL-21 in host pathogenesis in experimental visceral leishmaniasis
R Khatonier1, A M Khan1, P Sarmah1
11Division of Entomology and Filariasis, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Post Box No. 105, Dibrugarh, Assam 786001 India.
Abstract:
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major global health problem but still remains one of the neglected tropical diseases. Currently available chemotherapeutics are associated with severe toxicity and increased drug resistance. There is a need to explore for novel therapeutic strategies that could modulate host immune responses or work in synergy with chemotherapy of VL. Therefore, understanding the host immunological changes that play a vital role in disease pathology is a prerequisite for designing any interventions. We have investigated the role of IL-21 during the course of Leishmania donovani infection and after drug treatment. BALB/c mice were used to investigate the mRNA levels of IL-21 during active Leishmania donovani infection and after treatment using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Mice were divided in four groups i.e. Control (Group A), Infected (Group B), Uninfected treated (Group C) and Infected treated (Group D). Animals of Group C and D were treated with Amphotericin B. IL-21 mRNA levels in the spleen were estimated on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 17, 21, 28, 35, 45 and 60 post infection and also during course of treatment. We found that IL-21 mRNA levels was significantly up-regulated in the infected group with a fourfold increase at D60 p.i. (p < 0.001) and it was decreased significantly after the treatment. Our results suggest that IL-21 mRNA is associated with pathogenesis of Leishmania donovani infection and that therapeutics designed to suppress IL-21 could provide promising antileishmanial activity.
Insights
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) mRNA levels increase during visceral leishmaniasis (VL) infection in mice. Suppressing IL-21 may offer new therapeutic strategies against this neglected tropical disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease with limited treatment options.
- Current VL therapies face challenges of toxicity and drug resistance.
- Understanding host immune responses is crucial for developing novel interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Interleukin-21 (IL-21) in the pathogenesis of *Leishmania donovani* infection.
- To assess IL-21 mRNA levels during active infection and after drug treatment in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were infected with *Leishmania donovani* and treated with Amphotericin B.
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify IL-21 mRNA levels in spleen tissue.
- IL-21 mRNA expression was monitored at multiple time points post-infection and during treatment.
Main Results:
- IL-21 mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in infected mice, showing a fourfold increase by day 60 post-infection (p < 0.001).
- Treatment with Amphotericin B led to a significant decrease in IL-21 mRNA levels.
- A strong correlation was observed between elevated IL-21 mRNA and disease progression.
Conclusions:
- IL-21 mRNA expression is closely associated with the pathogenesis of *Leishmania donovani* infection.
- Targeting IL-21 could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for visceral leishmaniasis.
- Further research into IL-21 modulation may lead to novel antileishmanial treatments.
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