Expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 in lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy lesions.
BACKGROUND
Leprosy is an infectious disease with two polar forms, tuberculoid leprosy (TL) and lepromatous leprosy (LL), which are dominated by T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells, respectively. High concentrations of prostaglandin E2 produced by the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in LL could inhibit Th1 cytokine production, contributing to T-cell anergy.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the COX-2 expression in LL and TL.


METHODS
Skin biopsies from 40 leprosy patients (LL, n = 20; TL, n = 20) were used to determine by immunohistochemistry and automated morphometry the percentage of COX-2 immunostained cells.


RESULTS
Most COX-2-positive cells were macrophages; their percentages in the inflammatory infiltrate located in the papillary dermis, reticular dermis and periadnexally were significantly higher in LL than TL (P < 0.001 by Student's t-test).


CONCLUSIONS
The high expression of COX-2 in LL may be related to high prostaglandin production contributing to T-cell anergy.
Kiszewski
A E C
AE
Department of Pathology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Calle Vasco de Quiroga 15, CP 14000, Tlalpán, Mexico DF, Mexico.
Becerril
E
E
Baquera
J
J
Ruiz-Maldonado
R
R
Hernández Pando
R
R
D001706:Biopsy; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D015441:Leprosy, Tuberculoid / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases