Abstract
Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of leishmania lesion cytokine profile showed a Th2 cytokine expression pattern, as reflected by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 mRNA expression. There was a predominance of IL-13 in most lesions from patients with American localized cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania guyanensis. IL-13 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to specific leishmania antigens was confirmed in these patients. The absence of the second chain of the IL-12 receptor (IL-12Rbeta2) mRNA expression in lesions and the presence of specific IgE and IgG4 in some serum samples demonstrated the functional role of these Th2 cytokines. IL-13, unlike IL-4, rendered specific T cells unresponsive to IL-12 by inhibiting the expression of the IL-12Rbeta2 chain. These data establish the crucial role of IL-13 in human cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Protozoan / biosynthesis
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Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Cells, Cultured
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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Cytokines / genetics
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Humans
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Immune Tolerance*
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Immunoglobulin E / biosynthesis
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Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-12 / pharmacology*
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Interleukin-13 / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-13 / genetics*
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Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-4 / genetics
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Leishmania guyanensis / immunology
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Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology*
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Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / pathology
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Receptors, Interleukin / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
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Receptors, Interleukin-12
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Th2 Cells / immunology*
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Transcriptional Activation
Substances
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Antibodies, Protozoan
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Antigens, Protozoan
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Cytokines
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Immunoglobulin G
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Interleukin-13
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Receptors, Interleukin
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Receptors, Interleukin-12
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Interleukin-12
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Interleukin-4
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Immunoglobulin E