title: Analysis of invariant natural killer T cells in human paracoccidioidomycosis.
abstract: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are capable of recognizing lipid antigens and secreting Th1/Th2 cytokines. Deficiency in iNKT cell number or function has been partially implicated in susceptibility to some infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. We evaluated iNKT cells in paracoccidioidomycosis, another chronic granulomatous disease endemic in Latin America. iNKT cells were detected using PBS57-loaded tetramer staining and flow cytometry. Circulating iNKT cell numbers were similar among healthy individuals who had previously been cured of paracoccidioidomycosis (susceptible individuals, n = 7) and healthy Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-infected (n = 5) and non-infected individuals (n = 5). iNKT from all three groups expanded similarly upon α-GalCer and a synthetic analog (OCH) stimulation. IFN-γ was the dominant cytokine produced both by ex vivo and by expanded iNKT cells, followed by IL-4 and IL-10, in the three groups. No deficit in the monocyte expression of CD1d was detected. In conclusion, individuals who had developed paracoccidioidomycosis in the past have no impairment in iNKT number, expansion capacity, and cytokine secretion.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 53, Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470. IMT-II, Térreo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-907, Brazil. vagoba@usp.br.
authors.forename: Vanessa Gomes
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moreira-Teixeira
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leite-de-Moraes
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma