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Moraes ACCG, da Luz RCFV, Fernandes ALM, Barbosa MXS, de Andrade LV, Armstrong ADC, de Souza CDF, do Carmo RF. Association of PTX3 gene polymorphisms and PTX3 plasma levels with leprosy susceptibility. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:853. [PMID: 38053036 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08862-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that plays a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response and activating the complement system. Additionally, plasma PTX3 has emerged as a potential biomarker for various infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PTX3 gene polymorphisms and PTX3 plasma levels with susceptibility to leprosy and clinical characteristics. METHODS Patients with leprosy from a hyperendemic area in the Northeast Region of Brazil were included. Healthy household contacts and healthy blood donors from the same geographical area were recruited as a control group. The rs1840680 and rs2305619 polymorphisms of PTX3 were determined by real-time PCR. Plasma levels of PTX3 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS A total of 512 individuals were included. Of these, 273 were patients diagnosed with leprosy; 53 were household contacts, and 186 were healthy blood donors. No association was observed between PTX3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to leprosy or development of leprosy reaction or physical disability. On the other hand, plasma levels of PTX3 were significantly higher in patients with leprosy when compared to household contacts (p = 0.003) or blood donors (p = 0.04). It was also observed that PTX3 levels drop significantly after multidrug therapy (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that PTX3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of leprosy and point to the potential use of this molecule as an infection marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Cadidé Gonzaga Moraes
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Biological Sciences, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Milena Xavier Silva Barbosa
- Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lorena Viana de Andrade
- Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Anderson da Costa Armstrong
- College of Medicine, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, s/n, Centro, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Carlos Dornels Freire de Souza
- College of Medicine, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, s/n, Centro, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Feliciano do Carmo
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Biological Sciences, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Pernambuco, Brazil.
- College of Medicine, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, s/n, Centro, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
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2
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Rosa TLSA, Mendes MA, Linhares NRC, Rodrigues TF, Dias AA, Leal-Calvo T, Gandini M, Ferreira H, Costa FDMR, Sales AM, Amadeu TP, Schmitz V, Pinheiro RO, Rodrigues LS, Moraes MO, Pessolani MCV. The Type I Interferon Pathway Is Upregulated in the Cutaneous Lesions and Blood of Multibacillary Leprosy Patients With Erythema Nodosum Leprosum. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:899998. [PMID: 35733868 PMCID: PMC9208291 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.899998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In leprosy patients, acute inflammatory episodes, known as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), are responsible for high morbidity and tissue damage that occur during the course of Mycobacterium leprae infection. In a previous study, we showed evidence implicating DNA-sensing via TLR9 as an important inflammatory pathway in ENL. A likely important consequence of TLR9 pathway activation is the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), also implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated whether the IFN-I pathway is activated during ENL. Blood samples and skin lesions from multibacillary patients diagnosed with ENL were collected and the expression of genes of the IFN-I pathway and interferon-stimulated genes were compared with samples collected from non-reactional multibacillary (NR) patients. Whole blood RNAseq analysis suggested higher activation of the IFN-I pathway in ENL patients, confirmed by RT-qPCR. Likewise, significantly higher mRNA levels of IFN-I-related genes were detected in ENL skin biopsies when compared to NR patient lesions. During thalidomide administration, the drug of choice for ENL treatment, a decrease in the mRNA and protein levels of some of these genes both in the skin and blood was observed. Indeed, in vitro assays showed that thalidomide was able to block the secretion of IFN-I by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to M. leprae sonicate or CpG-A, a TLR9 ligand. Finally, the decreased frequencies of peripheral pDCs in ENL patients, along with the higher TLR9 expression in ENL pDCs and the enrichment of CD123+ cells in ENL skin lesions, suggest the involvement of these cells as IFN-I producers in this type of reaction. Taken together, our data point to the involvement of the pDC/type I IFN pathway in the pathogenesis of ENL, opening new avenues in identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets for the better management of this reactional episode.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayara Abud Mendes
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natasha Ribeiro Cardoso Linhares
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Medical Science Faculty, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thais Fernanda Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André Alves Dias
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thyago Leal-Calvo
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Gandini
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helen Ferreira
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Anna Maria Sales
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thaís Porto Amadeu
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Medical Science Faculty, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Veronica Schmitz
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Medical Science Faculty, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milton Ozório Moraes
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Vidal Pessolani
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Maria Cristina Vidal Pessolani,
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3
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Parker HA, Forrester L, Kaldor CD, Dickerhof N, Hampton MB. Antimicrobial Activity of Neutrophils Against Mycobacteria. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782495. [PMID: 35003097 PMCID: PMC8732375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mycobacterium genus contains a broad range of species, including the human pathogens M. tuberculosis and M. leprae. These bacteria are best known for their residence inside host cells. Neutrophils are frequently observed at sites of mycobacterial infection, but their role in clearance is not well understood. In this review, we discuss how neutrophils attempt to control mycobacterial infections, either through the ingestion of bacteria into intracellular phagosomes, or the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Despite their powerful antimicrobial activity, including the production of reactive oxidants such as hypochlorous acid, neutrophils appear ineffective in killing pathogenic mycobacteria. We explore mycobacterial resistance mechanisms, and how thwarting neutrophil action exacerbates disease pathology. A better understanding of how mycobacteria protect themselves from neutrophils will aid the development of novel strategies that facilitate bacterial clearance and limit host tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark B. Hampton
- Centre for Free Radical Research, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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4
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Diagnostic biomarkers of dilated cardiomyopathy. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152153. [PMID: 34784575 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition involving dilation of cardiac chambers, which results in contraction impairment. Besides invasive and non-invasive diagnostic procedures, cardiac biomarkers are of great importance in both diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. These biomarkers are categorized into three groups based on their site; cardiomyocyte biomarkers, microenvironmental biomarkers and macroenvironmental biomarkers. AIMS In this review, an overview of characteristics, epidemiology, etiology and clinical manifestations of DCM is provided. In addition, the most important biomarkers, of all three categories, and their diagnostic and prognostic values are discussed. CONCLUSION Considering the association of DCM with conditions such as infections and autoimmunity, which are prevalent among the population, introducing efficient diagnostic tools is of high value for the early detection of DCM to prevent its severe complications. The three discussed classes of biomarkers are potential candidates for the detection of DCM. However, further studies are necessary in this regard.
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Luo Y, Kiriya M, Tanigawa K, Kawashima A, Nakamura Y, Ishii N, Suzuki K. Host-Related Laboratory Parameters for Leprosy Reactions. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:694376. [PMID: 34746168 PMCID: PMC8568883 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.694376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy reactions are acute inflammatory episodes that complicate the course of a Mycobacterium leprae infection and are the major cause of leprosy-associated pathology. Two types of leprosy reactions with relatively distinct pathogenesis and clinical features can occur: type 1 reaction, also known as reversal reaction, and type 2 reaction, also known as erythema nodosum leprosum. These acute nerve-destructive immune exacerbations often cause irreversible disabilities and deformities, especially when diagnosis is delayed. However, there is no diagnostic test to detect or predict leprosy reactions before the onset of clinical symptoms. Identification of biomarkers for leprosy reactions, which impede the development of symptoms or correlate with early-onset, will allow precise diagnosis and timely interventions to greatly improve the patients' quality of life. Here, we review the progress of research aimed at identifying biomarkers for leprosy reactions, including its correlation with not only immunity but also genetics, transcripts, and metabolites, providing an understanding of the immune dysfunction and inflammation that underly the pathogenesis of leprosy reactions. Nevertheless, no biomarkers that can reliably predict the subsequent occurrence of leprosy reactions from non-reactional patients and distinguish type I reaction from type II have yet been found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Kiriya
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Tanigawa
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Kawashima
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihisa Ishii
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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6
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Tavares IF, Dos Santos JB, Pacheco FDS, Gandini M, Mariante RM, Rodrigues TF, Sales AM, Moraes MO, Sarno EN, Schmitz V. Mycobacterium leprae Induces Neutrophilic Degranulation and Low-Density Neutrophil Generation During Erythema Nodosum Leprosum. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:711623. [PMID: 34692720 PMCID: PMC8531262 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.711623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) is a recurrent acute inflammatory complication of leprosy affecting up to 50% of all Borderline Lepromatous and Lepromatous Leprosy (BL/LL) patients. Although ENL is described as an immune reaction mediated by neutrophils, studies demonstrating the direct role of neutrophils in ENL are still rare. One subpopulation of low-density neutrophils (LDNs), present within the fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), has been associated with the pathogenesis and severity of diseases like sepsis, lupus, and tuberculosis. We herein analyzed LDNs and high-density neutrophils (HDNs) in terms of frequency, phenotype, and morphology. Serum levels of MMP-9 (a neutrophilic degranulation marker) were evaluated by ELISA; and LDNs were generated in vitro by stimulating healthy-donor, whole-blood cultures. PBMC layers of ENL patients presented segmented/hypersegmented cells that were morphologically compatible with neutrophils. Immunofluorescence analyses identified LDNs in ENL. Flow cytometry confirmed the elevated frequency of circulating LDNs (CD14−CD15+) in ENL patients compared to healthy donors and nonreactional Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) patients. Moreover, flow cytometry analyses revealed that ENL LDNs had a neutrophilic-activated phenotype. ENL patients under thalidomide treatment presented similar frequency of LDNs as observed before treatment but its activation status was lower. In addition, Mycobacterium leprae induced in vitro generation of LDNs in whole blood in a dose-dependent fashion; and TGF-β, an inhibitor of neutrophilic degranulation, prevented LDNs generation. MMP-9 serum levels of BL/LL patients with or without ENL correlated with LDNs frequency at the same time that ultrastructural observations of ENL LDNs showed suggestive signs of degranulation. Together, our data provide new insights into the knowledge and understanding of the pathogenesis of ENL while enriching the role of neutrophils in leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mariana Gandini
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Anna Maria Sales
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milton Ozório Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Euzenir Nunes Sarno
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Veronica Schmitz
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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7
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Sahu S, Sharma K, Sharma M, Narang T, Dogra S, Minz RW, Chhabra S. Neutrophil NETworking in ENL: Potential as a Putative Biomarker: Future Insights. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:697804. [PMID: 34336901 PMCID: PMC8316588 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.697804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), also known as type 2 reaction (T2R) is an immune complex mediated (type III hypersensitivity) reactional state encountered in patients with borderline lepromatous and lepromatous leprosy (BL and LL) either before, during, or after the institution of anti-leprosy treatment (ALT). The consequences of ENL may be serious, leading to permanent nerve damage and deformities, constituting a major cause of leprosy-related morbidity. The incidence of ENL is increasing with the increasing number of multibacillary cases. Although the diagnosis of ENL is not difficult to make for physicians involved in the care of leprosy patients, its management continues to be a most challenging aspect of the leprosy eradication program: the chronic and recurrent painful skin lesions, neuritis, and organ involvement necessitates prolonged treatment with prednisolone, thalidomide, and anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, which further adds to the existing morbidity. In addition, the use of immunosuppressants like methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine, or biologics carries a risk of reactivation of persisters (Mycobacterium leprae), apart from their own end-organ toxicities. Most ENL therapeutic guidelines are primarily designed for acute episodes and there is scarcity of literature on management of patients with chronic and recurrent ENL. It is difficult to predict which patients will develop chronic or recurrent ENL and plan the treatment accordingly. We need simple point-of-care or ELISA-based tests from blood or skin biopsy samples, which can help us in identifying patients who are likely to require prolonged treatment and also inform us about the prognosis of reactions so that appropriate therapy may be started and continued for better ENL control in such patients. There is a significant unmet need for research for better understanding the immunopathogenesis of, and biomarkers for, ENL to improve clinical stratification and therapeutics. In this review we will discuss the potential of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear granulocytes) as putative diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers by virtue of their universal abundance in human blood, functional versatility, phenotypic heterogeneity, metabolic plasticity, differential hierarchical cytoplasmic granule mobilization, and their ability to form NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps). We will touch upon the various aspects of neutrophil biology relevant to ENL pathophysiology in a step-wise manner. We also hypothesize about an element of metabolic reprogramming of neutrophils by M. leprae that could be investigated and exploited for biomarker discovery. In the end, a potential role for neutrophil derived exosomes as a novel biomarker for ENL will also be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrity Sahu
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Keshav Sharma
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Maryada Sharma
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tarun Narang
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sunil Dogra
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ranjana Walker Minz
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Seema Chhabra
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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8
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Gautam S, Sharma D, Goel A, Patil SA, Bisht D. Insights into Mycobacterium leprae Proteomics and Biomarkers-An Overview. Proteomes 2021; 9:7. [PMID: 33573064 PMCID: PMC7931084 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes9010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although leprosy is curable, the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of leprosy would play a pivotal role in reducing transmission and the overall prevalence of the disease. Leprosy-specific biomarkers for diagnosis, particularly for the paucibacillary disease, are not well defined. Therefore, the identification of new biomarkers for leprosy is one of the prime themes of leprosy research. Studying Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, at the proteomic level may facilitate the identification, quantification, and characterization of proteins that could be potential diagnostics or targets for drugs and can help in better understanding the pathogenesis. This review aims to shed light on the knowledge gained to understand leprosy or its pathogen employing proteomics and its role in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra 282004, India; (S.G.); (D.S.); (S.A.P.)
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, NH-2, Mathura-Delhi Road, Mathura 281406, India;
| | - Devesh Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra 282004, India; (S.G.); (D.S.); (S.A.P.)
| | - Anjana Goel
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, NH-2, Mathura-Delhi Road, Mathura 281406, India;
| | - Shripad A. Patil
- Department of Biochemistry, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra 282004, India; (S.G.); (D.S.); (S.A.P.)
| | - Deepa Bisht
- Department of Biochemistry, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra 282004, India; (S.G.); (D.S.); (S.A.P.)
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9
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Bhat RM, Vaidya TP. What is New in the Pathogenesis and Management of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum. Indian Dermatol Online J 2020; 11:482-492. [PMID: 32832433 PMCID: PMC7413435 DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_561_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a manifestation of type II lepra reaction, seen in lepromatous or borderline lepromatous leprosy. Although it is a common reaction encountered in clinical practice, there are an increasingly large number of newer updates in the pathophysiology and management of this condition. The treatment options have expanded far beyond just thalidomide and steroids and now extends to TNF-α inhibitors, thalidomide analogs, tenidap, cyclosporine A, plasma exchange, and even IVIG amongst others. These updates and the current knowledge of ENL are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh M Bhat
- Department of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Tanvi P Vaidya
- Department of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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10
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Duthie MS, Roferos FO, Abellana JF, Taborada T, Sanchez R, Maghanoy A, Balagon MF. Utility and limitations of serodiagnostic tests in monitoring the response to treatment of leprosy patients. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 96:114984. [PMID: 31954594 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.114984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple measures that can facilitate early recognition of leprosy complications are still lacking. We therefore evaluated a lateral flow-based rapid diagnostic test and fast enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measuring anti-LID-NDO antibody responses among leprosy cases in Cebu, Philippines. Responses were measured at diagnosis, then during and after the provision of standard multidrug therapy. Our data indicate that both platforms are highly sensitive tools for the primary diagnosis of, in particular, multibacillary leprosy. A gradual, quantifiable decline in both magnitude of response and percent positive responders was observed during and after treatment. As a group, patients that developed erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) had a significantly higher response at diagnosis than patients that either developed reversal reactions or did not develop reactions. Although higher initial anti-NDO-LID responses were a risk factor for ENL, neither platform, however, could reliably predict the time of emergence of reactional episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm S Duthie
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Host Directed Therapeutics (HDT), Suite 280, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
| | | | - Junie F Abellana
- Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Tonet Taborada
- Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Riza Sanchez
- Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Armi Maghanoy
- Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Marivic F Balagon
- Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
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11
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da Silva CO, Dias AA, da Costa Nery JA, de Miranda Machado A, Ferreira H, Rodrigues TF, Sousa Santos JP, Nadaes NR, Sarno EN, Saraiva EM, Schmitz V, Pessolani MCV. Neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to the pathogenesis of leprosy type 2 reactions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007368. [PMID: 31504035 PMCID: PMC6736252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of patients with the multibacillary form of leprosy are expected to develop acute systemic inflammatory episodes known as type 2 reactions (T2R), thus aggravating their clinical status. Thalidomide rapidly improves T2R symptoms. But, due to its restricted use worldwide, novel alternative therapies are urgently needed. The T2R triggering mechanisms and immune-inflammatory pathways involved in its pathology remain ill defined. In a recent report, we defined the recognition of nucleic acids by TLR9 as a major innate immunity pathway that is activated during T2R. DNA recognition has been described as a major inflammatory pathway in several autoimmune diseases, and neutrophil DNA extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to be a prime source of endogenous DNA. Considering that neutrophil abundance is a marked characteristic of T2R lesions, the objective of this study was to investigate NETs production in T2R patients based on the hypothesis that the excessive NETs formation would play a major role in T2R pathogenesis. Abundant NETs were found in T2R skin lesions, and increased spontaneous NETs formation was observed in T2R peripheral neutrophils. Both the M. leprae whole-cell sonicate and the CpG-Hlp complex, mimicking a mycobacterial TLR9 ligand, were able to induce NETs production in vitro. Moreover, TLR9 expression was shown to be higher in T2R neutrophils, suggesting that DNA recognition via TLR9 may be one of the pathways triggering this process during T2R. Finally, treatment of T2R patients with thalidomide for 7 consecutive days resulted in a decrease in all of the evaluated in vivo and ex vivo NETosis parameters. Altogether, our findings shed light on the pathogenesis of T2R, which, it is hoped, will contribute to the emergence of novel alternative therapies and the identification of prognostic reactional markers in the near future. Leprosy is caused by a mycobacterium that has a predilection for skin and nerve cells. The chronic course of the disease may be interrupted by acute inflammatory episodes known as reactions, despite effective bacterial killing with antibiotics. Reactions aggravate the patient’s clinical status and may become a medical emergency. Type 2 reactions (T2R) only occur in patients with high bacterial burden and are treated with thalidomide and/or corticosteroids. We are interested in understanding how inflammation is triggered and amplified during T2R. In this study we investigated the potential role of extracellular DNA released by neutrophils (known as NETs) in T2R, since they have been shown to cause inflammation. Abundant NETs were found in T2R skin lesions, and increased spontaneous NETs formation was observed in neutrophils present in the blood of T2R patients. Moreover, bacterial constituents were able to induce NETs production. Finally, treatment of T2R patients with thalidomide resulted in decreased NET formation. Altogether, our findings shed light on the pathogenesis of T2R, which, it is hoped, will contribute to the identification of biomarkers for early diagnosis and emergence of novel alternative therapies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André Alves Dias
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Augusto da Costa Nery
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alice de Miranda Machado
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helen Ferreira
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thais Fernanda Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Sousa Santos
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natalia Rocha Nadaes
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Euzenir Nunes Sarno
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elvira Maria Saraiva
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Verônica Schmitz
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Vidal Pessolani
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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van Hooij A, van den Eeden S, Richardus R, Tjon Kon Fat E, Wilson L, Franken KLMC, Faber R, Khatun M, Alam K, Sufian Chowdhury A, Richardus JH, Corstjens P, Geluk A. Application of new host biomarker profiles in quantitative point-of-care tests facilitates leprosy diagnosis in the field. EBioMedicine 2019; 47:301-308. [PMID: 31422044 PMCID: PMC6796558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmission of Mycobacterium leprae, the pathogen causing leprosy, is still persistent. To facilitate timely (prophylactic) treatment and reduce transmission it is vital to both early diagnose leprosy, and identify infected individuals lacking clinical symptoms. However, leprosy-specific biomarkers are limited, particularly for paucibacillary disease. Therefore, our objective was to identify new biomarkers for leprosy and assess their applicability in point-of-care (POC) tests. METHODS Using multiplex-bead-arrays, 60 host-proteins were measured in a cross-sectional approach in 24-h whole blood assays (WBAs) collected in Bangladesh (79 patients; 54 contacts; 51 endemic controls (EC)). Next, 17 promising biomarkers were validated in WBAs of a separate cohort (55 patients; 27 EC). Finally, in a third cohort (36 patients; 20 EC), five candidate markers detectable in plasma were assessed for application in POC tests. FINDINGS This study identified three new biomarkers for leprosy (ApoA1, IL-1Ra, S100A12), and confirmed five previously described biomarkers (CCL4, CRP, IL-10, IP-10, αPGL-I IgM). Overnight stimulation in WBAs provided increased specificity for leprosy and was required for IL-10, IL-1Ra and CCL4. The remaining five biomarkers were directly detectable in plasma, hence suitable for rapid POC tests. Indeed, lateral flow assays (LFAs) utilizing this five-marker profile detected both multi- and paucibacillary leprosy patients with variable immune responses. INTERPRETATION Application of novel host-biomarker profiles to rapid, quantitative LFAs improves leprosy diagnosis and allows POC testing in low-resource settings. This platform can thus aid diagnosis and classification of leprosy and also provides a tool to detect M.leprae infection in large-scale contact screening in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk van Hooij
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Susan van den Eeden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Renate Richardus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Tjon Kon Fat
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Wilson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Kees L M C Franken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Faber
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merufa Khatun
- Rural Health Program, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
| | - Khorshed Alam
- Rural Health Program, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
| | - Abu Sufian Chowdhury
- Rural Health Program, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
| | - Jan Hendrik Richardus
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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Schmitz V, Tavares IF, Pignataro P, Machado ADM, Pacheco FDS, dos Santos JB, da Silva CO, Sarno EN. Neutrophils in Leprosy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:495. [PMID: 30949168 PMCID: PMC6436181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the intracellular bacillus Mycobacterium leprae that mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. One of the most intriguing aspects of leprosy is the diversity of its clinical forms. Paucibacillary patients are characterized as having less than five skin lesions and rare bacilli while the lesions in multibacillary patients are disseminated with voluminous bacilli. The chronic course of leprosy is often interrupted by acute episodes of an inflammatory immunological response classified as either reversal reaction or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Although ENL is considered a neutrophilic immune-complex mediated condition, little is known about the direct role of neutrophils in ENL and leprosy disease overall. Recent studies have shown a renewed interest in neutrophilic biology. One of the most interesting recent discoveries was that the neutrophilic population is not homogeneous. Neutrophilic polarization leads to divergent phenotypes (e.g., a pro- and antitumor profile) that are dynamic subpopulations with distinct phenotypical and functional abilities. Moreover, there is emerging evidence indicating that neutrophils expressing CD64 favor systemic inflammation during ENL. In the present review, neutrophilic involvement in leprosy is discussed with a particular focus on ENL and the potential of neutrophils as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Schmitz
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Pignataro
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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The role of pentraxin 3 in pemphigus vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2019; 37:503-507. [PMID: 32994770 PMCID: PMC7507152 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2019.81234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune bullous diseases caused by antibodies directed against the desmosomal adhesion molecules desmoglein 1 and 3, which are required for intercellular adhesion of keratinocytes. Pentraxins are a group of proteins that function as pattern recognition molecules and also play a role in humoral innate immunity. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is the prototype of the long pentraxins and has been shown to be increased in numerous autoimmune diseases. Aim To investigate whether PTX3 can be used as a marker of PV caused by autoimmunity and resulting in tissue injury. Material and methods The study included 30 patients who presented to the University Medical School Dermatology Department and were diagnosed with PV based on clinical, histological, and immunological findings. The control group included 30 healthy individuals. Human PTX3 concentration was measured with a commercially available ELISA kit, using a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The 60 participants comprised 31 (52%) men and 29 (48%) women. The most common site of onset was mucosa + skin (n = 22; 73.3%) and a psychological pathology was present in 7 (23.3%) patients. Median PTX3 level was significantly higher in the PV group compared to the control group (p = 0.008). The ROC curve analysis indicated a significant area under curve (AUC) value for serum PTX3 level in the prediction of PV. Conclusions PTX3 was found to be increased in PV and PTX3 could be a useful indicator of disease activity in PV.
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Geluk A. Correlates of immune exacerbations in leprosy. Semin Immunol 2018; 39:111-118. [PMID: 29950273 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Leprosy is still a considerable health threat in pockets of several low and middle income countries worldwide where intense transmission is witnessed, and often results in irreversible disabilities and deformities due to delayed- or misdiagnosis. Early detection of leprosy represents a substantial hurdle in present-day leprosy health care. The dearth of timely diagnosis has, however, particularly severe consequences in the case of inflammatory episodes, designated leprosy reactions, which represent the major cause of leprosy-associated irreversible neuropathy. There is currently no accurate, routine diagnostic test to reliably detect leprosy reactions, or to predict which patients will develop these immunological exacerbations. Identification of host biomarkers for leprosy reactions, particularly if correlating with early onset prior to development of clinical symptoms, will allow timely interventions that contribute to decreased morbidity. Development of a point-of-care (POC) test based on such correlates would be a definite game changer in leprosy health care. In this review, proteomic-, transcriptomic and metabolomic research strategies aiming at identification of host biomarker-based correlates of leprosy reactions are discussed, next to external factors associated with occurrence of these episodes. The vast diversity in research strategies combined with the variability in patient- and control cohorts argues for harmonisation of biomarker discovery studies with geographically overarching study sites. This will improve identification of specific correlates associated with risk of these damaging inflammatory episodes in leprosy and subsequent application to rapid field tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemieke Geluk
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, LUMC, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Pinheiro RO, Schmitz V, Silva BJDA, Dias AA, de Souza BJ, de Mattos Barbosa MG, de Almeida Esquenazi D, Pessolani MCV, Sarno EN. Innate Immune Responses in Leprosy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:518. [PMID: 29643852 PMCID: PMC5882777 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease that may present different clinical forms depending on host immune response to Mycobacterium leprae. Several studies have clarified the role of various T cell populations in leprosy; however, recent evidences suggest that local innate immune mechanisms are key determinants in driving the disease to its different clinical manifestations. Leprosy is an ideal model to study the immunoregulatory role of innate immune molecules and its interaction with nervous system, which can affect homeostasis and contribute to the development of inflammatory episodes during the course of the disease. Macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and keratinocytes are the major cell populations studied and the comprehension of the complex networking created by cytokine release, lipid and iron metabolism, as well as antimicrobial effector pathways might provide data that will help in the development of new strategies for leprosy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Veronica Schmitz
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - André Alves Dias
- Cellular Microbiology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Euzenir Nunes Sarno
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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