title: Reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
abstract: Cutaneous leishmaniasis affects millions of people around the world. Several species of Leishmania infect mouse strains, and murine models closely reproduce the cutaneous lesions caused by the parasite in humans. Mouse models have enabled studies on the pathogenesis and effector mechanisms of host resistance to infection. Here, we review the role of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) in the control of parasites by macrophages, which are both the host cells and the effector cells. We also discuss the role of neutrophil-derived oxygen and nitrogen reactive species during infection with Leishmania. We emphasize the role of these cells in the outcome of leishmaniasis early after infection, before the adaptive T(h)-cell immune response.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Fátima
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.forename: Bárbara Pinheiro
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Eric Henrique
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Roma
authors.forename: Fátima Soares Motta
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Noronha
authors.forename: Juan Pereira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Macêdo
authors.forename: Luciana Souza
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Myrian Morato
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Leda Quercia
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Vieira