title: Analysis of granzyme B activity as a surrogate marker of Leishmania-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity in zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze Leishmania-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity in individuals with active or healed zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). The (51)Cr-release assay revealed a significant cytotoxicity against L. major-infected autologous macrophages in individuals with active or healed ZCL. As a surrogate marker of cytotoxic response, a test based on the measure of granzyme B activity in parasite-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was optimized and evaluated in 88 individuals. Increased granzyme B activity was found in 62.5% of patients with active ZCL and in only 30% of individuals with healed ZCL. In both groups, granzyme B activity was significantly higher than in healthy, leishmanin skin test-negative control subjects (P<.05). These data provide additional evidence that Leishmania-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity is part of the acquired immune response developed against the parasite. Its role in resistance to reinfection should be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, Vaccinology, and Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Thouraya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bousoffara
authors.forename: Hechmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Louzir
authors.forename: Afif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Salah
authors.forename: Koussay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dellagi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D053804:Granzymes; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D014416:Tunisia; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases