Host susceptibility factors to cutaneous leishmaniasis.
The host-pathogen relationship is the focus of many different studies which use a variety of disease models and different pathogens. Immunological studies in the mouse using the intracellular parasite Leishmania have helped define several aspects of host-pathogen interactions. Resistance to Leishmania is dependent on the development of CD4+ Th1 cells which promote an effective cell mediated immune response. Production of the cytokine IFN-gamma during this immune response activates macrophages enabling them to kill the parasite and control the infection. In contrast, susceptibility to this parasite is characterized by a Th2 response which produces predominantly IL-4. This cytokine promotes high antibody titers directed towards the parasite but does not activate macrophages for parasite killing. This host response results in high parasite numbers and a progressive increase in lesion size. The mouse model of leishmaniasis has been extremely useful in gaining an understanding of the immunological factors important in determining T cell commitment into Th1 or Th2 populations during an in vivo immune response.
Jones
D E
DE
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. jonesdou@mail.med. upenn.edu
Elloso
M M
MM
Scott
P
P
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007891:Leishmania / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D018664:Interleukin-12