Regulatory T-Cell Dynamics in Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Mar;98(3):753-758. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0624. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

To evaluate the dynamics of regulatory T cells (Tregs) during tegumentary leishmaniasis, we assessed peripheral blood and biopsies from 54 patients. Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) had a decreased proportion of Tregs in the peripheral blood, but the proportion was higher in the biopsies of lesions. During treatment of CL, circulating Tregs increased reaching normal proportions, whereas antigen-specific interferon-γ responses diminished. By contrast, circulating Tregs from mucosal leishmaniasis patients failed to normalize during treatment. C-C chemokine receptor type 5 was expressed on a large proportion of Tregs at the site of infection. These results demonstrate increased Tregs at the site of infection, possibly homing from the peripheral circulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leishmania braziliensis*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, CCR5 / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • CCR5 protein, human
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Interferon-gamma