%0 Journal Article
%T CD8+ T Cells as a Source of IFN-¦Ã Production in Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
%A Mahmoud Nateghi Rostami
%A Hossein Keshavarz
%A Rosita Edalat
%A Abdolfattah Sarrafnejad
%A Tahereh Shahrestani
%A Fereidoun Mahboudi
%A Ali Khamesipour
%J PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
%D 2010
%I Public Library of Science (PLoS)
%R 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000845
%X Background In human leishmaniasis Th1/Th2 dichotomy similar to murine model is not clearly defined and surrogate marker(s) of protection is not yet known. In this study, Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-¦Ã) profile induced by purified CD4+/CD8+ T cells in response to Leishmania antigens were assessed at transcript and protein levels in 14 volunteers with a history of self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (HCL) and compared with 18 healthy control volunteers. Methodology/Principal Findings CD4+/CD8+/CD14+ cells were purified from peripheral blood using magnetic beads; CD4+/CD8+ T cells were co-cultured with autologous CD14+ monocytes in the presence of soluble Leishmania antigens (SLA). Stimulation of either CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells of HCL volunteers with SLA induced a significantly (P<0.05) higher IFN-¦Ã production compared with the cells of controls. Upregulation of IFN-¦Ã gene expression in CD4+ cells (P<0.001) and CD8+ cells (P = 0.006) of HCL volunteers was significantly more than that of controls. Significantly (P<0.05) higher fold-expression of IFN-¦Ã gene was seen in CD4+ cells than in CD8+ cells. In HCL volunteers a significantly (P = 0.014) higher number of CD4+ cells were positive for intracellular IFN-¦Ã production than CD8+ cells. Conclusions/Significance Collectively, the volunteers have shown maintenance of specific long-term immune responses characterized by a strong reaction to leishmanin skin test and IFN-¦Ã production. The dominant IFN-¦Ã response was the result of expansion of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The results suggested that immune response in protected individuals with a history of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) due to L. major is mediated not only through the expansion of antigen-specific IFN-¦Ã producing CD4+ Th1 cells, but also through IFN-¦Ã producing CD8+ T cells.
%U http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pntd.0000845