Leishmania donovani-reactive Th1- and Th2-like T-cell clones from individuals who have recovered from visceral leishmaniasis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Leishmania donovani-reactive Th1- and Th2-like T-cell clones from individuals who have recovered from visceral leishmaniasis

AU - Kemp, M

AU - Kurtzhals, J A

AU - Bendtzen, K

AU - Poulsen, L K

AU - Hansen, M B

AU - Koech, D K

AU - Kharazmi, A

AU - Theander, T G

N1 - Keywords: Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; Antigens, Surface; Clone Cells; Humans; Interferon Type II; Interleukin-4; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Leukotrienes; Lymphocyte Activation; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

PY - 1993

Y1 - 1993

N2 - Infections in humans by Leishmania donovani parasites can result in a fatal disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or in a self-limiting asymptomatic infection. In murine models of the infection employing Leishmania major, the course of the disease can be directed into a VL-like syndrome by interleukin-4 (IL-4)-producing Th2 cells, or cure may result by Th1 cells secreting gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). The present study examined the potential of human T cells to generate Th1 or Th2 responses to L. donovani. The profiles of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and lymphotoxin secretion after antigen stimulation were analyzed in a panel of L. donovani-reactive CD4+ human T-cell clones generated from individuals who had recovered from VL after antimonial treatment. Two of the T-cell clones produced large amounts of IL-4 without production of IFN-gamma, seven clones produced both IFN-gamma and IL-4, and eight produced only IFN-gamma. This is the first report of a Th1- and Th2-type response in human leishmaniasis. These results suggest that in analogy with murine models, there is a dichotomy in the human T-cell response to L. donovani infections. Preferential activation of IL-4-producing Th2-like cells may be involved in the exacerbation of human VL, whereas activation of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells may protect the host from severe disease. Identification of leishmanial antigens activating one or the other type of T cells will be important in the development of vaccines against leishmaniasis.

AB - Infections in humans by Leishmania donovani parasites can result in a fatal disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or in a self-limiting asymptomatic infection. In murine models of the infection employing Leishmania major, the course of the disease can be directed into a VL-like syndrome by interleukin-4 (IL-4)-producing Th2 cells, or cure may result by Th1 cells secreting gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). The present study examined the potential of human T cells to generate Th1 or Th2 responses to L. donovani. The profiles of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and lymphotoxin secretion after antigen stimulation were analyzed in a panel of L. donovani-reactive CD4+ human T-cell clones generated from individuals who had recovered from VL after antimonial treatment. Two of the T-cell clones produced large amounts of IL-4 without production of IFN-gamma, seven clones produced both IFN-gamma and IL-4, and eight produced only IFN-gamma. This is the first report of a Th1- and Th2-type response in human leishmaniasis. These results suggest that in analogy with murine models, there is a dichotomy in the human T-cell response to L. donovani infections. Preferential activation of IL-4-producing Th2-like cells may be involved in the exacerbation of human VL, whereas activation of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells may protect the host from severe disease. Identification of leishmanial antigens activating one or the other type of T cells will be important in the development of vaccines against leishmaniasis.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 8432588

SN - 0019-9567

VL - 61

SP - 1069

EP - 1073

JO - Infection and Immunity

JF - Infection and Immunity

IS - 3

ER -