title: The role of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in Leishmania infection.
abstract: There is growing evidence that regulatory T cells and, in particular, the endogenous CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells (T(reg)) are playing a fundamental role in the infectious process due to the protozoan parasite Leishmania. Endogenous CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells are a population of regulatory T cells, recently described for their capacity to control excessive or misdirected immune response. During human or murine Leishmaniasis, many features characteristic of T(reg )function, such as high levels of IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) or immunosuppression, have been extensively described. Recent reports formally involved T(reg) in the control of Leishmania major infection. Such control occurs by modulation of the effector immune response; in susceptible mouse strains, CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells suppress excessive T helper (Th)2 response, while in genetically resistant mouse strains, they control protective Th1 responses, allowing for parasite survival and maintenance of memory response. The mechanisms and consequences of such control in both susceptible or resistant mouse strains are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Molecular Immunology, MLC 7021, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. yasmine.belkaid@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Yasmine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Belkaid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2