title: Evidence of in situ cytotoxicity in American cutaneous leishmaniasis.
abstract: The role of cytotoxicity in the defense mechanisms or pathogenesis of human cutaneous leishmaniasis is not yet well known. In the present work we assessed the presence of NK, CD8+ and CD45RO+ T cells, as well as the expression of a molecule associated with cytotoxic properties (TIA-1) in the lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis. CD8+ T cells, NK and activated T cells were found within the dermal cell infiltrate. We found a heterogeneous but usually strong expression of TIA-1, a marker of cytotoxic granules of T and NK cells, in human cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. These data suggest that cytotoxic activity occurs in situ in American cutaneous leishmaniasis and that both NK cells and activated CD8+ T cells are involved in this reaction.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Imunologia, Hospital Universit rio Prof. Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Joâo das Botas 5  andar Canela, 40.110.160 s/n, Salvador-Bahia, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanitakis
authors.forename: Roque
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Aurelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chalon
authors.forename: Cibele
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Edgar M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001938:Brazil; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D015415:Biomarkers; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens