Abstract
Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is characterised by severe tissue destruction. Herein, we evaluated the involvement of the IL-17-type response in the inflammatory infiltrate of biopsy specimens from 17 ML patients. IL-17 and IL-17-inducing cytokines (IL-1β, IL-23, IL-6 and TGF-β) were detected by immunohistochemistry in ML patients. IL-17(+) cells exhibited CD4(+), CD8(+) or CD14(+) phenotypes, and numerous IL-17(+) cells co-expressed the CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6). Neutrophils, a hallmark of Th17-mediated inflammation, were regularly detected in necrotic and perinecrotic areas and stained positive for neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase and MMP-9. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the existence of Th17 cells in ML lesions associated with neutrophils in areas of tissue injury and suggest that IL-17 is involved in ML pathogenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Female
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-17 / immunology*
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Leishmania / immunology*
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Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / immunology*
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Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / parasitology
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Male
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / blood
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / immunology
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Microscopy, Confocal
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Middle Aged
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Neutrophils / enzymology
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Neutrophils / immunology*
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Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / immunology
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Peroxidase / blood
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Peroxidase / immunology
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Receptors, CCR6 / immunology*
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Statistics, Nonparametric
Substances
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CCR6 protein, human
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Interleukin-17
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Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
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Receptors, CCR6
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Peroxidase
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
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Mmp9 protein, mouse