Dichotomy in the human CD4+ T-cell response to Leishmania parasites.
Leishmania parasites cause human diseases ranging from self-healing cutaneous ulcers to fatal systemic infections. In addition, many individuals become infected without developing disease. In mice the two subsets of CD4+ T cells, Th1 and Th2, have different effects on the outcome of experimental Leishmania infections. Th1 cells producing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mediate resistance, whereas Th2 cells producing interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 are associated with susceptibility and exacerbation. Evidence is accumulating that a Th1/Th2 dichotomy in the T-cell response to Leishmania exists also in humans, and that the balance between subsets of parasite-specific T cells may play an important regulatory role in determining the outcome of the infections.
Kemp
M
M
Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kurtzhals
J A
JA
Kharazmi
A
A
Theander
T G
TG
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma