In situ cellular immune response in non-ulcerated skin lesions due to Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi infection

Author(s)

Sandoval, Carmen ^[1] ; Araujo, Gabriela ^[1] ; Sosa, Wilfredo ^{[2, 1]} ; Avalos, Sara ^[3] ; Silveira, Fernando ^{[4, 5]} ; Corbett, Carlos ^[1] ; Zuniga, Concepcion ^[6] ; Laurenti, Marcia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Sch FMUSP, Dept Pathol, Lab Infect Dis Pathol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Natl Autonomous Univ Honduras, Microbiol Res Inst, Tegucigalpa - Honduras

^[3] Natl Autonomous Univ Honduras, Sch Microbiol, Master Program Infect & Zoonot Dis, Tegucigalpa - Honduras

^[4] Fed Univ Para, Inst Trop Med, Belem, Para - Brazil

^[5] Minist Hlth, Dept Parasitol, Evandro Chagas Inst, Secretariat Hlth Surveillance, Belem, Para - Brazil

^[6] School Hosp, Dept Hlth Surveillance, Tegucigalpa - Honduras

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases; v. 27, FEB 26 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Abstract Background Skin lesions of patients affected by non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL) caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi are characterized by lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate associated with epithelioid granuloma and scarce parasitism. However, the in situ cellular immune response of these patients is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize the cellular immune response in the skin lesions of patients affected by NUCL. Methods Twenty biopsies were processed by immunohistochemistry using primary antibodies to T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8), NK cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, nitric oxide synthase and interferon-gamma. Results Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of all cellular types and molecules (IFN-γ, iNOS) in the dermis of diseased skin compared to the skin of healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Morphometric analysis performed in the skin lesions sections showed the predominance of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the mononuclear infiltrate, followed by macrophages, mostly iNOS+, a response that could be mediated by IFN-γ. Conclusion Our study improves knowledge of the cellular immune response in non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi in Central America and pointed to the pivotal participation of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the host defense mechanisms against the parasite in patients with NUCL. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/04698-6 - Non-ulcerated or atipycal Cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras: immunohistopathological characterization of skin lesions with emphasis in the participation of antigen presenting cells
• Grantee: Carmen Maria Sandoval Pacheco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/50315-0 - Leishmaniasis in Latin America: an advanced perspective on immunopathogenetic factors of cutaneous and visceral infection, immunomodulators of the sandflies vector saliva and immunogenic exo-antigens of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi as vaccine candidates
• Grantee: Marcia Dalastra Laurenti
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/24834-9 - Evaluation of the experimental infection in hamster by isolated parasites of atypical cutaneous lesion and human visceral caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras
• Grantee: Gabriela Venicia Araujo Flores
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/01154-7 - Non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum chagasi in Amapala municipality, Valle, Honduras: immune-histological characterization of the skin lesions
• Grantee: Carmen Maria Sandoval Pacheco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master