Immunophenotypic characterization of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis prior to and after treatment in Pernambuco, Brazil

Almeida AF (1), Castro MCAB (1), Oliveira AP (1), Souza MA (1), Pereira VRA (1)

(1) Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Recife, Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Abstract: Leishmania infections induce a specific activation of host immunological response, particularly characterized by T cell expansion. Studies indicate the importance of the balance between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, in which the first ones would have their number reduced during the healing process. Meanwhile, CD25+ T cells have been associated with the suppression of the immune response. Since the immune response has an essential role in both healing and progression of diseases, this study aimed to identify the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+ and CD25+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients afflicted with  American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) &endash; before and after treatment &endash; and healthy controls. Peripheral blood was collected and transferred to cytometry tubes containing monoclonal antibodies specific for cell surface markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 e CD25. The immunophenotypic and morphometric parameters of cells were determined by flow cytometry and the results demonstrated a significant increase in the number of T CD8+ cells after treatment, suggesting a cytotoxic T cell response. An increase in CD25+ T cells in patients with active ACL and after treatment was also observed, suggesting the participation of these cells in the modulation of the exacerbated effector response.

Key words: American tegumentary leishmaniasis, cellular immune response, flow cytometry, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to L. F. da Rocha for the technical assistance.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: February 28, 2011.

Accepted: April 13, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 18, 2011.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

Amanda F. Almeida received a Fiocruz/PIBIC research scholarship. Moreover, this study was supported by The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and by the State of Pernambuco Research Foundation (FACEPE, process number APQ-0493-2.11/08).

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Aggeu Magalhães Research Center Ethics Committee (CAEE 0757.0.095.000-05). In addition, all studied subjects signed an informed consent form.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

VALÉRIA RÊGO ALVES PEREIRA, Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Av. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-420, Brasil. Phone: +55 81 2101 2631. Fax: +55 81 2101 2640. Email: valeriaph@gmail.com.