Regulatory T cells, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and a T(H)1 cytokine profile in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum.
Canine leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum is a chronic systemic disease endemic in Mediterranean basin. The aim of the study is to investigate the immune profile of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. In order to address such issue, CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte T cell subsets, peripheral CD4(+)CD3(+)Foxp3(+) (Treg) levels and the presence of pro-inflammatory T cells have been assessed, in 45 infected dogs and in 30 healthy animals, by using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry detection. Animals were categorised according to their clinical-pathological status and their antibody titer at diagnosis. Results showing a significant increase of CD8(+)CD3(+) T lymphocytes, a reduced percentage of the T regulatory CD4(+)CD3(+)Foxp3(+) subset and a significant increase of T(H)1 cells, characterise the infected dogs, regardless of their antibody titer or the occurrence of clinical symptomatic disease. These data may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of immune-mediated alterations associated with canine leishmaniasis.
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Laura
L
Cortese
Mariangela
M
Annunziatella
Anna Teresa
AT
Palatucci
Valentina
V
Rubino
Diego
D
Piantedosi
Antonio
A
Di Loria
Giuseppina
G
Ruggiero
Paolo
P
Ciaramella
Giuseppe
G
Terrazzano
D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000276:immunology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D030161:Avian Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; C071280:EMF-1 protein, Gallus gallus; D007371:Interferon-gamma
Dogs; Flow cytometry; Leishmaniasis; T CD4(+); T CD8(+); T regulatory cells