title: 5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy reduces the parasite load in mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven to be an effective alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Skin lesions consist of ulcers with well-defined raised edges, and granular floor. Th1 immune response is the protective profile in patients infected with Leishmania. In this study, the photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid, the parasitic load, and the modulation of the immune response was evaluated in mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis. Balb/c mice were infected with L. braziliensis and subsequently treated with three sections of PDT. The parasite load and mRNA expression of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, IL-22, IL-27, IL-10) and transcription factors (GATA-3, Foxp3 and T-bet) were analysed by quantitative PCR. The parasite load in the treated group was significantly lower than in the untreated group (P<.0001); in PDT treated animals, we observed an increase in IFN-γ and T-bet mRNA (P=.012 and P=.0071). There was a significant reduction in mRNA expression of IL-22 associated with an increased expression of IL-27 mRNA in the animals treated with light only (P=.0001). 5-ALA associated with photodynamic therapy promotes a reduction in parasite load and an increased expression of IFN-γ and T-bet mRNA.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: M L F
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Cefores - Centro de Educação Profissional, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Paulino
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Coraspe
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: M M S
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodrigues Júnior
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.|Cefores - Centro de Educação Profissional, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.|Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, University of Uberaba, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: D B R
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D059208:Parasite Load; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid
keywords: 5-aminolevulinic acid; IFN-γ; T-bet; cytokines; leishmaniasis; photodynamic therapy