Immunologic memory in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Leishmania major infections induce solid immunity to reinfection. Experimental studies in mice indicate that the CD4+ T cells responsible for this immunity include two populations: parasite-dependent T effector cells and parasite-independent central memory T (Tcm) cells. While there currently is no vaccine for leishmaniasis, the existence of a long-lived population of Tcm cells that does not require the continued presence of live parasites suggests that a vaccine that expands these cells might be efficacious.
Scott
Phillip
P
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. pscott@vet.upenn.edu
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control