Determination of the cytokine profile in American cutaneous leishmaniasis using the polymerase chain reaction

Clin Exp Immunol. 1993 Mar;91(3):500-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1993.tb05931.x.

Abstract

The lymphokine profiles were determined in the skin lesions of the three distinct clinical forms of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and primers for various lymphokines. The message for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta), and IL-8 was expressed in the three clinical forms of ACL. IL-1 beta mRNA was expressed in most localized (LCL) and mucocutaneous (MCL) leishmaniasis, but in only few of the diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). IL-2 mRNA was detected in about half of the lesions, with more prominent values for MCL. IL-4 mRNA was present in most lesions from the three clinical forms, but markedly increased in DCL. IL-5 and IL-10 mRNAs were expressed in all MCL and in half of the DCL lesions and weakly expressed in LCL lesions. IL-10 mRNA was more abundant in MCL lesions. In contrast, IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNAs were expressed in a large number of LCL. In MCL, IL-6 mRNA was expressed in most cases and TNF-alpha mRNA in all the cases. In DCL, IL-6 mRNA was absent and TNF-alpha mRNA was weakly expressed. These results suggest that most T cells present in the MCL and DCL lesions secrete a mixture of type 1 and type 2 cytokine patterns, but in DCL granulomas type 2 cytokines predominate. In LCL the cytokine patterns show a mixture of type 1 and type 0 with a preponderance of IFN-gamma over IL-4, and low levels of IL-5 and IL-10. The lack of IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNAs, and the low expression of IL-1 beta in DCL lesions suggest a defect in the antigen-processing cells that may account for the state of unresponsiveness in these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Diffuse Cutaneous / immunology
  • Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / immunology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Plasmids
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • RNA, Messenger