CD8 cytotoxic T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
CD8 T cells are essential in the defence against viruses, yet little is known of their participation in the host defence against parasites, such as Leishmania, which can cause a variety of clinical diseases, such as localized cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Murine models of leishmaniasis suggest that CD8 T cells participate through IFN-gamma production, yet their cytotoxic capacity also plays an important role, as has been found in patients infected with various Leishmania strains, where CD8 T cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis of autologous Leishmania-infected macrophages correlate with cure. Yet the mechanisms underlying the CD8 T activation in patients with leishmaniasis remain an enigma. It is possible that dendritic cells activate CD8 T cells through mechanisms that include antigen cross-presentation. Here we summarize the recent findings of CD8 T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis and discuss their significance in the control of the disease. Further knowledge in this field will undoubtedly improve the design of therapeutic and vaccine strategies.
Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, Mexico.
J H
JH
Ruiz
I
I
Becker
D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*