title: Evaluation of IL-12RB1, IL-12B, CXCR-3 and IL-17a expression in cases affected by a non-healing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis: an observational study design.
abstract: Seldom cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) may present as a lasting and active lesion(s), known as a non-healing form of CL (NHCL). Non-functional type 1 T helper (Th1) cells are assumed the most important factor in the outcome of the disease. The present study aims to assess some molecular defects that potentially contribute to Th1 impairment in NHCL.
  
  
  
  This prospective observational study will be implemented among five groups. The first and second groups comprise patients afflicted with non-healing and healing forms of CL, respectively. The third group consists of those recovered participants who have scars as a result of CL. Those participants who have never lived or travelled to endemic areas of leishmaniasis will comprise the fourth group. The fifth group comprises participants living in hyperendemic areas for leishmaniasis, although none of them have been afflicted by CL. The aim is to recruit 10 NHCL cases and 30 participants in each of the other groups. A leishmanin skin test (LST) will be performed to assess in vivo immunity against the Leishmania infection. The cytokine profile (interleukin (IL)-12p70, interferon (IFN)-γ, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-11 and IL-17a) of the isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) will be evaluated through ELISA. Real-time PCR will determine the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor (CXCR)-3 and IL-17a gene expression and expression of IL-12Rβ1 will be assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, IL-12B and IL-12RB1 mutation analysis will be performed.
  
  
  
  It is anticipated that the outcome of the current study will identify IL-12B and IL-12RB1 mutations, which lead to persistent lesions of CL. Furthermore, our expected results will reveal an association between NHCL and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p70, IFN-γ IL-17a and CXCL-11), as well as CXCR-3 expression.
  
  
  
  This study has been approved by a local ethical committee. The final results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Pathobiology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moafi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Pathobiology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rezvan
authors.affiliation: Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sherkat
authors.affiliation: Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taleban
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asilian
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Hamid
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zarkesh Esfahani
authors.affiliation: Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nilforoushzadeh
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jaffary
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Awat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feizi
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054371:Chemokine CXCL11 / Q000276:immunology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009154:Mutation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D059467:Transcriptome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: C515202:CXCL11 protein, human; C515187:CXCR3 protein, human; D054371:Chemokine CXCL11; C500879:IL12B protein, human; C508438:IL12RB1 protein, human; C508717:IL17A protein, human; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; D020381:Interleukin-17; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: IMMUNOLOGY; PARASITOLOGY