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Bax HI, Freeman AF, Ding L, Hsu AP, Marciano B, Kristosturyan E, Jancel T, Spalding C, Pechacek J, Olivier KN, Barnhart LA, Boris L, Frein C, Claypool RJ, Anderson V, Zerbe CS, Holland SM, Sampaio EP. Interferon alpha treatment of patients with impaired interferon gamma signaling. J Clin Immunol 2013; 33:991-1001. [PMID: 23512243 PMCID: PMC4136390 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-013-9882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients with deficiency in the interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) are unable to respond properly to IFN-γ and develop severe infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). IFN-γ and IFN-α are known to signal through STAT1 and activate many downstream effector genes in common. Therefore, we added IFN-α for treatment of patients with disseminated mycobacterial disease in an effort to complement their IFN-γ signaling defect. We treated four patients with IFN-γR deficiency with adjunctive IFN-α therapy in addition to best available antimicrobial therapy, with or without IFN-γ, depending on the defect. During IFN-α treatment, ex vivo induction of IFN target genes was detected. In addition, IFN-α driven gene expression in patients' cells and mycobacteria induced cytokine response were observed in vitro. Clinical responses varied in these patients. IFN-α therapy was associated with either improvement or stabilization of disease. In no case was disease exacerbated. In patients with profoundly impaired IFN-γ signaling who have refractory infections, IFN-α may have adjunctive anti-mycobacterial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Bax
- Immunopathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, CRC B3-4233 MSC 1684, Bethesda, MD 20892-1684, USA
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Pinheiro RO, de Oliveira EB, Dos Santos G, Sperandio da Silva GM, de Andrade Silva BJ, Teles RMB, Milagres A, Sarno EN, Dalcolmo MP, Sampaio EP. Different immunosuppressive mechanisms in multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2013; 171:210-9. [PMID: 23286948 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that cells from both multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) patients respond poorly to mycobacterial antigens in vitro. In the present study, we compared the in vitro response of cells isolated from sensitive TB (NR-TB)-, MDR-TB- and NTM-infected patients. Analysis of T cell phenotype ex vivo revealed that both MDR-TB and NTM patients present an increased percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+-) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) and CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) regulatory T (T(reg) ) cells when compared to NR-TB. Increased numbers of T(reg) cells and interleukin (IL)-10 serum levels were detected in MDR-TB, whereas elevated serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β was found in the NTM group. Cells of MDR-TB patients stimulated with early secretory antigenic target (ESAT)-6, but not purified protein derivative (PPD), showed a lower frequency of CD4(+) /interferon (IFN)-γ(+) T cells and enhanced CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) , CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) and CD4(+) CD25(+) IL-10(+) T cell population. In addition, increased IL-10 secretion was observed in cultured MDR-TB cells following ESAT-6 stimulation, but not in NR-TB or NTM patients. In vitro blockade of IL-10 or IL-10Rα decreased the CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) frequencies induced by ESAT-6 in MDR-TB, suggesting a role of IL-10 on impaired IFN-γ responses seen in MDR-TB. Depletion of CD4(+) CD25(+) T lymphocytes restored the capacity of MDR-TB T cells to respond to ESAT-6 in vitro, which suggests a potential role for T(reg) /T regulatory 1 cells in the pathogenesis of MDR-TB. Together, our results indicate that although the similarities in chronicity, NTM- and MDR-TB-impaired antigenic responses involve different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R O Pinheiro
- Leprosy Laboratory, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Fiocruz, Brazil
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Azevedo ZM, Moore DB, Lima FC, Cardoso CC, Bougleux R, Matos GI, Luz RA, Xavier-Elsas P, Sampaio EP, Gaspar-Elsas MI, Moraes MO. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) single nucleotide polymorphisms: importance in ARDS in septic pediatric critically ill patients. Hum Immunol 2012; 73:661-7. [PMID: 22507624 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2011] [Revised: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that genetic background influences the outcome of sepsis, which despite medical advances continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of SNPs LTA +252A>G, TNF-863C>A and TNF-308G>A on susceptibility to sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock and sepsis mortality. A prospective case-control study was carried out in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit and included 490 septic pediatric patients submitted to mechanical ventilation and 610 healthy children. No SNP association was found with respect to sepsis susceptibility. Nevertheless, a haplotype was identified that was protective against sepsis (+252A/-863A/-308G; OR=0.65; p=0.03). We further observed protection against ARDS in TNF-308 GA genotype carriers (OR=0.29; p=0.0006) and -308A allele carriers (OR=0.40; p=0.003). In addition, increased risk for ARDS was detectable with the TNF-863 CA genotype (OR=1.83; p=0.01) and the -863A carrier status (OR=1.82; p=0.01). After stratification according to age, this outcome remained significantly associated with the -308GA genotype in infants. Finally, protection against sepsis-associated mortality was found for the TNF-308 GA genotype (OR=0.22; p=0.04). Overall, our findings document a protective effect of the TNF-308 GA genotype for the ARDS and sepsis mortality outcomes, further providing evidence for an increased risk of ARDS associated with the TNF-863 CA genotype. Trial registration (www.clinicaltrials.gov): NCT00792883.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z M Azevedo
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dept. Paediatrics, Instituto Fernandes Figueira, FIOCRUZ, Brazil.
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de Souza Sales J, Lara FA, Amadeu TP, de Oliveira Fulco T, da Costa Nery JA, Sampaio EP, Pinheiro RO, Sarno EN. The role of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase in lepromatous leprosy immunosuppression. Clin Exp Immunol 2011; 165:251-63. [PMID: 21592112 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2011.04412.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate further the possible role of the tryptophan, rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in leprosy, the distribution of IDO-positive cells and IDO activity in the skin biopsies and sera of these patients representing the entire spectrum of the disease were studied. An increased number of macrophages/dendritic cells (DC-lineage IDO(+) cells were found in lepromatous (LL) compared to tuberculoid (BT) and reversal reaction (RR) patients. IDO-positive cells showing CD68 and CD86 surface markers predominated in LL lesions, while higher levels of IDO activity were observed in the sera of LL versus BT patients. Tests revealed an increased IDO message in Mycobacterium leprae-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and increased IDO expression in M. leprae-stimulated CD14(+) cells of both healthy controls (HC) and LL patients, as evaluated via flow cytometry. Increased M. leprae-induced IDO-protein synthesis was also confirmed by Western blot. Based on our in vitro studies, it was confirmed that M. leprae up-regulated IDO expression and activity in HC and LL monocytes. Interferon (IFN)-γ synergized with M. leprae in promoting IDO expression and activity in monocytes. IDO expression induced by both IFN-γ and M. leprae was abrogated by 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT). Our data suggest that M. leprae chronic infection activates the suppressive molecule IDO which, in turn, contributes to the specific immunosuppression observed in LL leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J de Souza Sales
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Moura DF, Teles RMB, Ribeiro-Carvalho MM, Teles RB, Santos IMCF, Ferreira H, Fulco TO, Nery JAC, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Long-term culture of multibacillary leprosy macrophages isolated from skin lesions: a new model to study Mycobacterium leprae-human cell interaction. Br J Dermatol 2007; 157:273-83. [PMID: 17553031 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07992.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leprosy is characterized by a disease spectrum having two polar clinical forms dependent on the presence or not of cell-mediated immunity. In the tuberculoid forms, granuloma-activated macrophages kill Mycobacterium leprae in conjunction with a Th1 response while, in multibacillary (MB) lesions, M. leprae nonactivated macrophages infiltrate the nerves and internal organs together with a Th2 response. The functional properties and activation pathways of macrophages isolated from patients with MB leprosy remain only partially understood. OBJECTIVES To establish an ex vivo methodology capable of evaluating the activation pathways, grade and fate of cultured macrophages isolated from MB lesions. METHODS Skin biopsies from patients with borderline tuberculoid, bordeline lepromatous and lepromatous leprosy (LL) were characterized by immunohistochemistry and transcriptional analysis. To isolate inflammatory cells, a portion of the samples was submitted to enzymatic digestion. These same cells, maintained in culture for a minimum 7-day period, were characterized morphologically and via flow cytometry at different culture time points. Cytokine [interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-10] mRNA levels were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein secretion in the culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the nitric oxide levels by Griess reagent. RESULTS RNA expression in tuberculoid and MB lesions showed the profile expected of characteristic Th1 and Th2 responses, respectively. The inflammatory cells in all biopsies were successfully isolated. Although the number of cells varied between biopsies, it was highest in LL biopsies. The frequency of isolated CD14+ and CD3+ cells measured by flow cytometry correlated with the percentages of macrophages and lymphocytes in the lesions. Throughout the culture period, CD68+ macrophages showed morphological changes. A progressive increase in cell number and reduction of infected cells were perceptible in the cultures. In contrast to the biopsies, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-10 expression in the tuberculoid and MB leprosy cells in 24-h culture and the cytokine levels in the supernatants did not differ significantly. During the culture period, cytokine expression in the MB cells progressively declined, whereas, from days 1 to 7, nitrite levels progressively increased. After day 40, the remaining macrophages were able to ingest fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled M. leprae. These data need to be confirmed. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the feasibility of obtaining ex vivo macrophages from leprosy lesions and keeping them in long-term culture. This procedure may open new pathways to studying the interaction between M. leprae and human macrophages, which might, in turn, lead to the development of therapeutic tools capable of overcoming the specific anergy found in patients with MB leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Moura
- Leprosy Laboratory, Department of Mycobacteriosis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sales AM, de Matos HJ, Nery JAC, Duppre NC, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Double-blind trial of the efficacy of pentoxifylline vs thalidomide for the treatment of type II reaction in leprosy. Braz J Med Biol Res 2007; 40:243-8. [PMID: 17273661 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2007000200011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 09/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II reaction in leprosy, or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), is often characterized by severe clinical symptoms together with nerve function impairment leading to permanent disabilities. Thalidomide has been shown to be a highly effective drug for the treatment of ENL. It is, however, contraindicated for women of childbearing age due to its teratogenicity. On the other hand, pentoxifylline, used to treat hypercoagulable states, is not teratogenic and, like thalidomide, can inhibit the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-a and other cytokines. In the present randomized double-blind clinical study we compared the effectiveness of orally administered pentoxifylline vs thalidomide in treating type II reaction in 44 patients. Daily doses of 300 mg thalidomide or 1.2 g pentoxifylline were administered for 30 days to multibacillary leprosy patients undergoing type II reaction. Randomly chosen patients were included in the study before, during, and after specific multidrug therapy. Clinical evaluations were performed on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days of treatment and laboratory tests were carried out on the 1st and 30th days. As expected, overall, thalidomide proved to be more effective in the treatment of type II leprosy reaction. Nevertheless, continuous treatment with pentoxifylline was effective in relieving the clinical signs of ENL, especially limb edema and systemic symptoms, in 62.5% of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Sales
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brazil 4365, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Soilleux EJ, Sarno EN, Hernandez MO, Moseley E, Horsley J, Lopes UG, Goddard MJ, Vowler SL, Coleman N, Shattock RJ, Sampaio EP. DC-SIGN association with the Th2 environment of lepromatous lesions: cause or effect? J Pathol 2006; 209:182-9. [PMID: 16583355 DOI: 10.1002/path.1972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The clinical spectrum of leprosy is related to patients' immune responses. Non-responsiveness towards Mycobacterium leprae (ML) seems to correlate with a Th2 cytokine profile. The reason for such a polarized immune response remains unclear. The C-type lectin, DC-SIGN, expressed by subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, has previously been associated with Th2 responses. Here we show abundant DC-SIGN expression in lepromatous but not borderline tuberculoid leprosy, in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Moreover, we demonstrate that DC-SIGN can act as an entry receptor for ML, as it does for M. tuberculosis, through the cell wall component lipoarabinomannan. DC-SIGN is expressed on virtually all ML-containing cells, providing further evidence for its role as a receptor. DC-SIGN may therefore be induced on macrophages in lepromatous leprosy and may then contribute to mycobacterial entry into these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Soilleux
- Department of Histopathology, Papworth Hospital, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB3 8RE, and Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, UK.
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Illarramendi X, Bührer-Sékula S, Sales AM, Bakker MI, Oliveira A, Nery JAC, Oskam L, Wilder-Smith A, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. High prevalence of vasomotor reflex impairment in newly diagnosed leprosy patients. Eur J Clin Invest 2005; 35:658-65. [PMID: 16178886 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01554.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Initial nerve damage in leprosy occurs in small myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Early detection of leprosy in the peripheral nervous system is challenging as extensive nerve damage may take place before clinical signs of leprosy become apparent. PATIENTS AND METHODS In order to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, peripheral autonomic nerve dysfunction in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, 76 Brazilian patients were evaluated prior to treatment. Skin vasomotor reflex was tested by means of laser Doppler velocimetry. Blood perfusion and reflex vasoconstriction following an inspiratory gasp were registered on the second and fifth fingers. RESULTS Vasomotor reflex was impaired in at least one finger in 33/76 (43%) patients. The fifth fingers were more frequently impaired and suffered more frequent bilateral alterations than the second fingers. Multivariate regression analysis showed that leprosy reaction (adjusted odds ratio = 8.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-48.2) was associated with overall impaired vasomotor reflex (average of the four fingers). In addition, palmar erythrocyanosis and an abnormal upper limb sensory score were associated with vasomotor reflex impairment in the second fingers, whereas anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies, ulnar somatic neuropathy and a low finger skin temperature were associated with impairment in the fifth fingers. CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of peripheral autonomic dysfunction as measured by laser Doppler velocimetry was observed in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, which is clinically evident late in the disease. Autonomic nerve lesion was more frequent than somatic lesions and was strongly related to the immune-inflammatory reaction against M. leprae.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Illarramendi
- Department of Mycobacteriosis, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Antas PRZ, Cardoso FLL, Pereira KC, Franken KLMC, Cunha KS, Klatser P, Sarno EN, Ottenhoff THM, Sampaio EP. T cell immune responses to mycobacterial antigens in Brazilian tuberculosis patients and controls. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2005; 99:699-707. [PMID: 15993451 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2005.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2005] [Accepted: 05/24/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Production of IFN-gamma guarantees helpful T cell-mediated immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We have evaluated the in vitro immune responses to M. tuberculosis antigens using IFN-gamma production among 43 Brazilian tuberculosis (TB) patients prior to and after specific treatment, and 18 community controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultivated in the presence either of purified protein derivative, ferritin, 10 kDa, 38 kDa, MPT59, Ag85A or Ag85B. Also, the two M. tuberculosis and M. bovis heat-shock proteins (hsp) 65 and 70 kDa were compared, and 5 day supernatants were harvested for cytokine detection by ELISA. The results showed that the overall profile of primary PBMC in response to most M. tuberculosis antigens was well correlated, since high IFN-gamma levels were induced by Ag85A, Ag85B, 38 kDa, ferritin and 10 kDa, as well as M. tuberculosis hsp65 in TB patients. In addition, analysis was carried out of the in vitro expression of activation molecules on lymphocytes, as CD25 and CD69 expression assessed in 17 TB patients showed induction on CD4+ T cells by Ag85B. Overall, significantly low responses were found in untreated, in comparison with the treated TB patients. Furthermore, internal community but not healthy control individuals have higher immune responses than do TB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Z Antas
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Fortes A, Pereira K, Antas PRZ, Franken CLMC, Dalcolmo M, Ribeiro-Carvalho MM, Cunha KS, Geluk A, Kritski A, Kolk A, Klatser P, Sarno EN, Ottenhoff THM, Sampaio EP. Detection of in vitro interferon-gamma and serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 141:541-8. [PMID: 16045745 PMCID: PMC1809469 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02872.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is known as having a poor prognosis with a weak response to therapy and very high death rates. The aim of this work was to assess the immune response to the RD1-encoded antigen ESAT-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in MDR-TB patients and compare to non-resistant (NR) TB patients and healthy controls (HC). Evaluation of interferon (IFN)-gamma production showed that, although 55% of the MDR patients were responsive to ESAT-6, they produced lower IFN-gamma levels (553 +/- 11 pg/ml) when compared to NR-TB (1179 +/- 163 pg/ml; P < 0.05) but not to controls (412 +/- 65.7 pg/ml). Differences in the response to ESAT-6 and to its overlapping peptides mixture were also significant between MDR versus treated pulmonary NR-TB. Furthermore, a very low rate of response to PPD (23.5%) and to Ag85B (33.3%) was noted in MDR-TB patients as compared to the other groups. To determine the inflammatory response in patients' groups, detection of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was assessed in their sera before and during chemotherapy. Mean TNF-alpha levels in MDR-TB (43.8 +/- 9 pg/ml) paralleled those found in treated pulmonary, and it was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the values found in untreated NR and HC. Interestingly, secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were predominant in MDR patients who presented with bilateral pulmonary lesions and lung cavitation. The present data indicate that the overall immune response to mycobacterial antigens is decreased in resistant TB and the major role inflammatory cytokines may play in perpetuating pulmonary tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fortes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Azevedo M, Matos G, Sales S, Sampaio E, Elsas P, Moraes M, Elsas M. Crit Care 2005; 9:P5. [DOI: 10.1186/cc3549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Moraes MO, Pacheco AG, Schonkeren JJM, Vanderborght PR, Nery JAC, Santos AR, Moraes ME, Moraes JR, Ottenhoff THM, Sampaio EP, Huizinga TWJ, Sarno EN. Interleukin-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms as markers for disease susceptibility and disease severity in leprosy. Genes Immun 2004; 5:592-5. [PMID: 15306847 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have determined IL-10 promoter genotypes of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): T-3575A, A-2849G, C-2763A, -A-1082G and C-819T. The haplotype frequencies were defined in healthy subjects compared to leprosy patients, and analyzed for their occurrence in multi- (MB) vs paucibacillary (PB) as severe and mild forms of leprosy, respectively. Haplotypes defined by three SNP positions (-3575, -2849 and -2763) captured significant differences between controls and patients (P=0.04). The haplotype carrying -3575A, -2849G and -2763C was associated with resistance to leprosy and to the development of severe forms of the disease using either a binomial (controls vs cases, P=0.005, OR=0.35, CI=0.13-0.91) or ordinal (controls vs PB vs MB, P=0.006, OR=0.32, CI=0.12-0.83) model. By contrast, the IL-10 haplotype -3575T/-2849A/-2763C was found to be associated with susceptibility to leprosy per se (P=0.027, OR=2.37, CI=1.04-5.39), but not leprosy type. The data suggest that the IL-10 locus contributes to the outcome of leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Department of Tropical Medicine, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Antas PRZ, Sales JS, Pereira KC, Oliveira EB, Cunha KS, Sarno EN, Sampaio EP. Patterns of intracellular cytokines in CD4 and CD8 T cells from patients with mycobacterial infections. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:1119-29. [PMID: 15273814 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000800003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Using a short-term bulk culture protocol designed for an intracellular-staining method based on a flow cytometry approach to the frequencies of cytokine-producing cells from tuberculosis and leprosy patients, we found distinct patterns of T cell subset expression. The method also reveals the profile of peak cytokine production and can provide simultaneous information about the phenotype of cytokine-producing cells, providing a reliable assay for monitoring the immunity of these patients. The immune response of Mycobacterium leprae and purified protein derivative (PPD) in vitro to a panel of mycobacteria-infected patients from an endemic area was assessed in primary mononuclear cell cultures. The kinetics and source of the cytokine pattern were measured at the single-cell level. IFN-gamma-, TNF-alpha-, IL-4- and IL-10-secreting T cells were intracytoplasmic evaluated in an attempt to identify M. leprae- and PPD-specific cells directly from the peripheral blood. The analysis by this approach indicated that TNF-alpha was the first (8 h) to be produced, followed by IFN-gamma (16 h), IL-10 (20 h) and IL-4 (24 h), and double-staining experiments confirmed that CD4+ were a greater source of TNF-alpha than of CD8+ T cells (P < 0.05). Both T cell subsets secreted similar amounts of IFN-gamma. We conclude that the protocol permits rapid evaluation of cytokine production by different T cell populations. The method can also be used to define immune status in non-infected and contact individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Z Antas
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Galhardo MCG, Alvarenga FF, Schueler G, Perez M, Morgado MG, Ferreira H, Azevedo LMS, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Normal skin of HIV-infected individuals contains increased numbers of dermal CD8 T cells and normal numbers of Langerhans cells. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:745-53. [PMID: 15107938 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000500017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the skin immune system (SIS) could explain the high prevalence of skin disorders in HIV+ individuals. The present study was carried out to determine whether alterations in the cell population of SIS and epidermal immunoactivation occur in the normal skin of HIV+ individuals. Forty-five biopsies were taken from the normal upper arm skin of 45 HIV+ patients and of 15 healthy controls. HIV+ individuals were divided into three categories according to their CD4 cell blood count (<200, 200-499 and > or = 500/microl). Hematoxylin-eosin was used to stain tissue sections for morphological analysis and immunohistochemistry was used for the evaluation of the frequency of macrophages, Langerhans cells, and CD lymphocyte subsets. In addition, semiquantitative analysis of LFA-1, ICAM-1 and HLA-DR was determined in epidermal cells. Macrophages, Langerhans cells, and CD lymphocyte subsets did not differ significantly between any of the patient categories and the control group. When all HIV+ individuals were compared as a group to the control group, a significant increase in dermal CD8+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.01) and lower CD4-CD8 ratios (P < 0.01) were observed in the HIV+ individuals. Epidermal ICAM-1 and HLA-DR expression was negative in both HIV+ and normal skin biopsies. No evidence of a depletion of the SIS population or of epidermal immunoactivation in normal skin from HIV+ individuals was demonstrable, suggesting that alterations in the central immune system are not necessarily reflected in the SIS of HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C G Galhardo
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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15
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Hernandez MO, Neves I, Sales JS, Carvalho DS, Sarno EN, Sampaio EP. Induction of apoptosis in monocytes by Mycobacterium leprae in vitro: a possible role for tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Immunology 2003; 109:156-64. [PMID: 12709029 PMCID: PMC1782934 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.2003.01630.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse range of infectious organisms, including mycobacteria, have been reported to induce cell death in vivo and in vitro. Although morphological features of apoptosis have been identified in leprosy lesions, it has not yet been determined whether Mycobacterium leprae modulates programmed cell death. For that purpose, peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from leprosy patients were stimulated with different concentrations of this pathogen. Following analysis by flow cytometry on 7AAD/CD14+ cells, it was observed that M. leprae induced apoptosis of monocyte-derived macrophages in a dose-dependent manner in both leprosy patients and healthy individuals, but still with lower efficiency as compared to M. tuberculosis. Expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Bax-alpha, Bak mRNA and TNF-alpha protein was also detected in these cultures; in addition, an enhancement in the rate of apoptotic cells (and of TNF-alpha release) was noted when interferon-gamma was added to the wells. On the other hand, incubation of the cells with pentoxifylline impaired mycobacterium-induced cell death, the secretion of TNF-alpha, and gene expression in vitro. In addition, diminished bacterial entry decreased both TNF-alpha levels and the death of CD14+ cells, albeit to a different extent. When investigating leprosy reactions, an enhanced rate of spontaneous apoptosis was detected as compared to the unreactive lepromatous patients. The results demonstrated that M. leprae can lead to apoptosis of macrophages through a mechanism that could be at least partially related to the expression of pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 protein family and of TNF-alpha. Moreover, while phagocytosis may be necessary, it seems not to be crucial to the induction of cell death by the mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Hernandez
- Leprosy Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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16
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Sampaio EP, Hernandez MO, Carvalho DS, Sarno EN. Management of erythema nodosum leprosum by thalidomide: thalidomide analogues inhibit M. leprae-induced TNFalpha production in vitro. Biomed Pharmacother 2002; 56:13-9. [PMID: 11905505 DOI: 10.1016/s0753-3322(01)00147-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide is being successfully used for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), among other disorders with inflammatory and immunological bases. Although the active molecules responsible for the diverse therapeutic activities of the drug and the sequence of reactions triggered inside the cells remain unclear, it was demonstrated that thalidomide (THAL) inhibits TNFalpha mRNA expression and protein production by stimulated monocytes and activated T lymphocytes. Patients treated with THAL experienced a reduction in serum TNFalpha levels and it diminished cytokine gene expression at the lesion site, with a concomitant abrogation of clinical symptoms. It has been reported that thalidomide as well as some its analogues decrease M. leprae-induced TNFalpha and IL-12 mRNA in vitro. THAL also reduced monocyte apoptosis in the cultures. The present data further support thalidomide's effects on TNFa synthesis and the growing need to search for new specific TNFalpha inhibitors (non-teratogenic compounds) that might be potentially used in clinical disorders such as leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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17
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Galhardo MC, de Carvalho MG, Georg I, Perez M, Morgado MG, de Azevedo LM, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Nutritional status impairments in HIV-infected patients are associated with increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 serum levels but not with viral load. Infection 2001; 29:257-61. [PMID: 11688902 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-001-1074-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines may alter metabolic pathways and contribute to malnutrition among human immunodefiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R), beta2-microglobulin serum levels and plasma viral load of 45 HIV-positive patients were determined and correlated to nutritional status impairment. Patients were grouped by CD4 counts into categories I (< 200/microl), II (200-499/microl), III (> or = 500/microl). There were 15 healthy controls. A nutritional grading system, based on anthropometric and laboratory data, was devised. Scores ranged from 0 to 5 (eutrophic to malnutrition). RESULTS AIDS patients' cytokines and immune marker levels were significantly higher than those of the controls, but not always higher than those of other categories. AIDS patients had higher nutritional deficit grades than category III (p < 0.05) or the controls (p < 0.02) which, except for viral load, correlated with the parameters studied. CONCLUSION Nutritional status impairments in HIV-positive individuals were associated with immune activation but not with viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Galhardo
- Centro de Pesquisa Hospital Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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18
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Moraes MO, Duppre NC, Suffys PN, Santos AR, Almeida AS, Nery JA, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter polymorphism TNF2 is associated with a stronger delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the skin of borderline tuberculoid leprosy patients. Immunogenetics 2001; 53:45-7. [PMID: 11261930 DOI: 10.1007/s002510000295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M O Moraes
- Tropical Medicine Department, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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19
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Moraes MO, Sampaio EP, Nery JA, Saraiva BC, Alvarenga FB, Sarno EN. Sequential erythema nodosum leprosum and reversal reaction with similar lesional cytokine mRNA patterns in a borderline leprosy patient. Br J Dermatol 2001; 144:175-81. [PMID: 11167702 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.03970.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We compare the clinical and histological data with the immunological status of a borderline leprosy patient who experienced an erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) reaction followed by a reversal reaction (RR) after 12 weeks of anti-inflammatory treatment (pentoxifylline, PTX, 1200 mg daily). Skin biopsies, serum and blood samples were collected sequentially during the reactional episodes. At the outset of RR, the patient's lymphocytes secreted interferon (IFN) -gamma and there was a positive lymphoproliferative test in response to Mycobacterium leprae, which had been absent during ENL. The lepromin reaction reversed from negative (0 mm) at diagnosis, to positive (3 mm) 3 months after the development of RR. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha levels in the serum decreased after 1 week of treatment and increased slightly thereafter. The immunohistochemical data for ENL showed a diffuse dermal and hypodermal infiltrate composed of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, while RR was characterized by an epithelioid granulomatous infiltrate with a marked presence of gammadelta T cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed a mixed cytokine profile characterized by the expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL) -6, IL-10 and IL-12 mRNA in the skin, which persisted throughout the development of ENL and RR lesions. IL-4 mRNA, first detected after 7 days of PTX treatment, was still present during RR. The results suggest the emergence of an initial Th0-like cytokine profile in ENL, typical of a state of immunoactivation, before conditions optimal for the appearance of an antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response and gammadelta T-cell migration are created.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil
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20
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Moraes MO, Sarno EN, Teles RM, Almeida AS, Saraiva BC, Nery JA, Sampaio EP. Anti-inflammatory drugs block cytokine mRNA accumulation in the skin and improve the clinical condition of reactional leprosy patients. J Invest Dermatol 2000; 115:935-41. [PMID: 11121122 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2000.00158.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate in what ways in vivo anti-inflammatory treatment affects cytokine mRNA expression in situ in both erythema nodosum leprosum and reversal reaction patients. Serial biopsies were collected from the patients undergoing leprosy reactions before and during pentoxifylline (n = 7) or thalidomide (n = 3) treatment for erythema nodosum leprosum and prednisone (n = 3) for reversal reaction. Clinical evolution of the skin lesion was assessed during the study and semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate cytokine mRNA expression at the lesion site. Results showed expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-12 p40, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in all patients tested at the onset of reactional episodes, but interleukin-4 mRNA was rarely detected in the lesions (n = 4). Follow-up analysis showed that, irrespective of the drugs used, tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA was diminished in 10 of the 13 patients tested. A concomitant decrease of mRNA accumulation was also observed for interferon-gamma (nine of 11 patients), interleukin-6 (nine of 11), and interleukin-12 p40 (six of eight). An inhibitory effect on interleukin-10 mRNA was likewise seen after thalidomide and pentoxifylline, but not subsequent to prednisone treatment. The data also demonstrated that cytokine mRNA inhibition correlates to the resolution of the inflammatory response in situ (n = 10), whereas the persistence/enhancement of cytokine message expression after treatment was associated with worsening of the skin condition, as seen in three erythema nodosum leprosum patients whose maintenance of local inflammation was accompanied by the appearance/persistence of interleukin-4 gene expression in situ subsequent to anti-inflammatory treatment. In summary, the participation of cytokines in leprosy inflammatory episodes seems to be directly associated with the patients' clinical evolution following therapy for reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ. Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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21
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Sarno EN, Santos AR, Jardim MR, Suffys PN, Almeida AS, Nery JA, Vieira LM, Sampaio EP. Pathogenesis of nerve damage in leprosy: genetic polymorphism regulates the production of TNF alpha. LEPROSY REV 2000; 71 Suppl:S154-8; discussion S158-60. [PMID: 11201873 DOI: 10.5935/0305-7518.20000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies carried out over the last decade have strongly suggested that TNF alpha both overtly participates in the cell-mediated immune response against Mycobacterium leprae, and is overproduced during reaction. In addition, reactions are intimately related to the onset of nerve damage. Finally, TNF alpha has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human and experimental autoimmune peripheral neuropathies that, as in leprosy, result in demyelination and axonal lesions. Because of recent findings associating human TNF alpha mutant alleles at the -308 position with increased production of TNF alpha in many immunological and infectious diseases, an investigation of the role of TNF2 in predisposing leprosy patients to reaction has been undertaken. Analysis of 300 patients with leprosy--210 multibacillary and 90 paucibacillary--has shown that the percentage of reactional patients was similar among both carriers and non-carriers of the TNF2 allele. However, a separate analysis of 57 carriers of TNF2 found that reactions occurred much more frequently among heterozygous than among homozygous patients. Moreover, the frequency of neuritis was somewhat greater among the heterozygous patients than among the non-carriers. Enhanced serum levels of TNF alpha have been noted in both TNF-1 and TNF-2 mutant patients in the course of leprosy reaction. Our observations to date suggest that other factors not related to the presence of the mutant gene may lead to the TNF alpha hyper-responsiveness observed during reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Sarno
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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22
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Sampaio EP, Oliveira RB, Warwick-Davies J, Neto RB, Griffin GE, Shattock RJ. T cell-monocyte contact enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in response to Mycobacterium leprae. J Infect Dis 2000; 182:1463-72. [PMID: 11023469 DOI: 10.1086/315902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/1999] [Revised: 07/10/2000] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been implicated as a key factor in inflammatory processes occurring in erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). In the present study, the roles of soluble factors and contact-mediated interaction in the induction of enhanced TNF-alpha secretion in leprosy have been investigated. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Mycobacterium leprae per se is a poor stimulus for TNF-alpha production by purified monocytes obtained from normal subjects, although this could be enhanced by either exogenous interferon-gamma or cell contact with fixed activated T lymphocytes. Further investigations demonstrated that monocyte-T cell contact enhanced M. leprae-induced TNF-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ENL patients and was modulated by blocking antibodies to CD40L, CD69, and CD18. These results suggest that physical contact with T cells isolated from patients in a particular disease state (ENL) modulates monocyte function and may contribute to the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines described in ENL.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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Nery JA, Perissé AR, Sales AM, Vieira LM, Souza RV, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. The use of pentoxifylline in the treatment of type 2 reactional episodes in leprosy. Indian J Lepr 2000; 72:457-67. [PMID: 11212480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that erythma nodosum leprosum (ENL) is associated with enhanced production of TNF-alpha resulting in increased inflammation of the skin and nerve function impairment. Thalidomide and steroids are the major drugs used in the treatment of ENL, but due to the serious problems associated with their use, alternative therapeutic interventions are being considered. In the present retrospective study, the authors report their clinical observations on the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) in the treatment of ENL. Parameters, such as the clinical involution of reactional lesions, the regression of the inflammatory symptoms associated with the lesions, and the impact on the systemic symptoms common to ENL were assessed at regular intervals during PTX therapy. It was found that PTX therapy led to total elimination of systemic symptoms within the first week of treatment. This improvement was maintained until the end of the study (60 days of treatment). Moreover, the evolution of nodular lesions showed a 100% improvement within the first 14 days of treatment. However, by the 60th day, worsening of the lesions was noted in 20% of the cases. The impression is that PTX is well tolerated, and it may be used for improving patient's clinical condition during ENL reaction. Nevertheless, a randomized, double blind, controlled trial to compare the effects of the widely-accepted thalidomide and the yet untested pentoxifylline for treatment of type 2 reaction is still necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Nery
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Insitute, FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Cep 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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24
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Santos AR, Almeida AS, Suffys PN, Moraes MO, Filho VF, Mattos HJ, Nery JA, Cabello PH, Sampaio EP, Sarno EN. Tumor necrosis factor promoter polymorphism (TNF2) seems to protect against development of severe forms of leprosy in a pilot study in Brazilian patients. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 2000; 68:325-7. [PMID: 11221098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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25
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Lima MC, Salgado JL, Pessolani MC, Pereira GM, Rumjanek FD, Duppre N, Nery JA, Porto LC, Pontes LF, Sarno EN, Sampaio EP. Development of TT leprosy in a BCG-vaccinated individual: immunological response during disease and after spontaneous healing. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 2000; 68:319-23. [PMID: 11221096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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26
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Aarestrup FM, Sampaio EP, de Moraes MO, Albuquerque EC, Castro AP, Sarno EN. Experimental Mycobacterium leprae infection in BALB/c mice: effect of BCG administration on TNF-alpha production and granuloma development. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 2000; 68:156-66. [PMID: 11036496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the experimental model of Mycobacterium leprae infection in the foot pads of BALB/c mice was used to investigate the effects of BCG administration on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and granuloma development. It was observed that mice intravenously infected with BCG 7 months after M. leprae inoculation into the foot pads presented a more effective mycobacteria clearance, revealed by a significant reduction of BCG-colony forming units in the spleen and by the reduction of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the foot pads. BCG infection at the peak of M. leprae infection also modulated the granulomatous response to M. leprae by converting mononuclear granulomas into an epithelioid-cell granuloma. Furthermore, lower TNF-alpha serum levels were detected in M. leprae-infected mice when compared to mice infected with M. leprae + BCG. An analysis of the TNF-alpha gene expression in the spleen by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) demonstrated that co-infection with BCG induced an earlier expression of TNF-alpha mRNA than in M. leprae-infected mice. The numbers of TNF-alpha-positive cells and apoptotic cells were also enhanced in epithelioid versus non-epithelioid granulomas. As a whole, the data suggest that co-infection of M. leprae-infected mice with BCG modulates TNF-alpha synthesis which, in turn, leads to induction of protective epithelioid granuloma formation in the foot pads and subsequent mycobacterial clearance. Macrophage differentiation into epithelioid cells, in association with the enhancement of TNF-alpha production at the granuloma site, may represent a triggering signal that induced apoptosis in these cells, leading to mycobacterial elimination. Moreover, the rate of apoptosis in epithelioid granulomas may well be related to the extent of immunopathologically mediated tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Aarestrup
- Department of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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27
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Lima MC, Pereira GM, Rumjanek FD, Gomes HM, Duppre N, Sampaio EP, Alvim IM, Nery JA, Sarno EN, Pessolani MC. Immunological cytokine correlates of protective immunity and pathogenesis in leprosy. Scand J Immunol 2000; 51:419-28. [PMID: 10736116 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2000.00703.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-5, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-10 by blood mononuclear cells in response to whole Mycobacterium leprae and polyclonal stimulii of 23 individuals, representing a variety of conditions in relation to exposure/susceptibility to M. leprae, was assayed. In most cases, healthy household contacts of newly diagnosed multibacillary leprosy patients, designated exposed household contacts (EC), showed low-to-undetectable in vitro IFN-gamma production in addition to substantial TNF-alpha production in response to M. leprae. In contrast, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from previously exposed contacts (R) regarded as resistant-to-leprosy released low-to-moderate levels of IFN-gamma together with a mixed cytokine profile resembling a T helper (Th)0-type response. TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratios in response to M. leprae and Concanavalin A were significantly higher in EC than in R contacts suggesting a role for the TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio in restraining mycobacteria proliferation and spreading early in infection. The cytokine profiles of leprosy patients were taken as reference points. Post-treatment lepromatous leprosy patients secreted relatively high levels of IL-10 in response to M. leprae, whereas one self-cured tuberculoid leprosy patient produced simultaneously high levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. In addition, the quantitative changes in the cytokines released by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in EC contacts after Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination were investigated. Vaccination induced amplification of IFN-gamma production with a concomitant decrease in TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratios that resembled the cytokine pattern observed in R contacts. IFN-gamma production was observed in response to both a cross-reactive antigen (Ag 85) and a M. leprae-specific protein (MMP-I), which attests to a BCG nonspecific stimulation of the immune system, thereby casting these antigens as likely candidates for inclusion in a subunit vaccine against leprosy. Finally, a model for protective x pathologic response to mycobacteria is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Lima
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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28
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Nery JA, Sampaio EP, Galhardo MC, Perissé AR, Vieira LM, Salles AM, Sarno EN. M. leprae-HIV co-infection: pattern of immune response in vivo and in vitro. Indian J Lepr 2000; 72:155-67. [PMID: 11008656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J A Nery
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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29
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Moraes MO, Sarno EN, Almeida AS, Saraiva BC, Nery JA, Martins RC, Sampaio EP. Cytokine mRNA expression in leprosy: a possible role for interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 in reactions (RR and ENL). Scand J Immunol 1999; 50:541-9. [PMID: 10564558 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.1999.00622.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leprosy patients during the natural course of the disease may develop reactional episodes, namely reversal reaction (RR) and erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Immunological events described as occurring during RR indicate up-regulation of the immune response, whereas in ENL the events are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to analyse the in vivo pattern of cytokine gene expression in the reactional states of leprosy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, n = 14) and tissue samples (n = 17) obtained from patients with ENL and RR were obtained and assayed by RT-PCR. PBMC obtained from unreactional patients (n = 15) and normal individuals (n = 5) were also assessed. Expression of interferon (IFN)gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-2Rp55, perforin and IL-1beta mRNA in PBMC were detected mostly in ENL/RR patients, but not in unreactional patients. Likewise, cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and TNFbeta were also present in reactional and tuberculoid patients as opposed to lepromatous leprosy (BL/LL). Interestingly, the majority of ENL/RR patients showed messages for IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNFalpha in the skin. IFNgamma was detected in 84.6% (ENL) and 100% (RR) of the patients, whereas IL-4 was detected only in few individuals (38.5 and 25%, respectively). Although mRNA expression and protein levels may be different, the data reported in this study suggest a cytokine mRNA profile that seems to be indistinguishable for RR and ENL. In addition, it shows up-regulation of immuno-inflammatory cytokines in the blood and tissue of the same patient examined before and during reaction. Furthermore, it is suggested that this pattern of response results from an immunological reactivation that might lead to an acute inflammatory response in both reactional episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Oliveira RB, Moraes MO, Oliveira EB, Sarno EN, Nery JA, Sampaio EP. Neutrophils isolated from leprosy patients release TNF-alpha and exhibit accelerated apoptosis in vitro. J Leukoc Biol 1999; 65:364-71. [PMID: 10080541 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.65.3.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study demonstrated that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) participate in the acute inflammatory response in leprosy as effector cells. Lepromatous patients present intense infiltrate of neutrophils in reactional (ENL) lesions. Circulating PMN of nonreactional patients, healthy donors, and reactional patients were purified and analyzed in vitro. The study confirmed the short lifespan of these cells in culture with progressive changes characteristic of apoptosis. Apoptosis was greatly accelerated in ENL patients as shown by cellular morphology, later confirmed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of fragmented DNA. It was observed that neutrophils stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, Mycobacterium leprae, and lipoarabinomannan secrete interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Thalidomide, a drug known to inhibit TNF-alpha synthesis on monocytes, also exerted an inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha secretion in neutrophils. These data suggest that PMN can participate in the regulation of the immune response in leprosy and can contribute to the amplification of TNF-alpha production at the site of ENL lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Oliveira
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Sampaio EP, Moraes MO, Nery JA, Santos AR, Matos HC, Sarno EN. Pentoxifylline decreases in vivo and in vitro tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in lepromatous leprosy patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Clin Exp Immunol 1998; 111:300-8. [PMID: 9486396 PMCID: PMC1904921 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1998.00510.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has implicated TNF-alpha as a pivotal molecule involved in the systemic inflammatory manifestations of ENL, an acute inflammatory complication that may occur in the chronic course of leprosy. In the present study, the mechanism of action of pentoxifylline (PTX) as an alternative therapy for management of leprosy reactions has been evaluated. The effect of PTX on TNF-alpha production was examined in leprosy patients at the protein level and at the transcriptional level as well. Treatment of ENL patients with PTX (1200 mg daily) ameliorated the systemic symptoms and favoured the evolution of reactional leprosy lesions. Serum TNF-alpha was assayed before and during treatment with PTX in 15 patients. The increased TNF-alpha levels seen in the circulation during the reaction were dramatically reduced within 3-7 days of therapy. No significant effect on serum IL-6 was noted. In vitro TNF-alpha production was assayed upon culture stimulation with Mycobacterium leprae. A reduction of inducible TNF-alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was seen after 1-2 weeks of in vivo administration of PTX. Furthermore, no effect of the drug on IL-10 secretion was detected in these cultures. A kinetic analysis of the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA at the site of leprosy lesion was performed in six reactional patients by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amount of TNF-alpha mRNA was increased in the tissue during ENL compared with before the reaction, and decreased thereafter following treatment for reaction (either PTX or thalidomide). These data suggest that PTX inhibits TNF-alpha production in ENL patients both in vivo and in vitro, and it may be useful in the treatment of leprosy patients undergoing ENL.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Abstract
Leprosy is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The human response to this pathogen exhibits intriguing aspects which are up to now not well understood. The present study discusses the probable mechanisms involved in T cell-specific unresponsiveness observed in lepromatous patients. Analysis of the cytokine profile either in blood leukocytes or in skin specimens taken from leprosy lesions indicates that some parameters of Th1 immune response are present in lepromatous patients under reactional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Laboratório de Hanseníase, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Sarno EN, Sampaio EP. The role of inflammatory cytokines in the tissue injury of leprosy. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 1996; 64:S69-73; discussion S73-4. [PMID: 9030130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E N Sarno
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Pimentel MI, Sampaio EP, Nery JA, Gallo ME, Saad MH, Machado AM, Duppre NC, Sarno EN. Borderline--tuberculoid leprosy: clinical and immunological heterogeneity. LEPROSY REV 1996; 67:287-96. [PMID: 9033199 DOI: 10.5935/0305-7518.19960029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The authors analysed some immunological criteria in leprosy patients diagnosed as borderline tuberculoid by the presentation of different grades of skin lesions as well as different grades of nerve involvement. Only 50% of the patients presented a single skin lesion and 58% had none or only one affected nerve. Nineteen patients (39.6%) showed a positive lepromin reaction (induration > or = 5 mm). Patients with a positive skin test had a greater number of skin lesions when compared with patients with a negative lepromin test. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were found to be positive using a lymphoproliferation test (LTT) in response to Mycobacterium leprae antigens. Positive LTT results did not correlate with the number of skin lesions, but patients unresponsive to LTT had a lesser extent of nerve involvement. Four out of 18 patients (22%) released high IFN gamma levels in PBMC culture stimulated by M. leprae. (mean U/ml +/- SD = 142 +/- 72). All of these 4 patients presented only one skin lesion, although three of them had more than one affected nerve. Nineteen out of 21 patients (90.5%) showed no anti-PGL-1 antibodies in their serum. The low levels of anti-PGL-1 antibodies among these patients confirmed their tuberculoid background even in those with multiple skin lesions. These findings seem to attribute an important role to IFN gamma in restraining the spreading of the infection in the skin, but IFN gamma may have an opposite effect on the nerves. The potential pathological effects of IFN gamma during the delayed type of hypersensitivity can be related to its ability to synergise with other inflammatory cytokines such as TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Pimentel
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Sampaio EP, Malta AM, Sarno EN, Kaplan G. Effect of rhuIFN-gamma treatment in multibacillary leprosy patients. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 1996; 64:268-73. [PMID: 8862260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that when multibacillary leprosy patients were treated with recombinant human interferon gamma (rhuIFN-gamma) for 6-10 months there was an accelerated reduction in the number of acid-fast bacilli in the skin at the site of injection as well as an accelerated bacillary reduction at distal sites. However, this favorable out-come of IFN-gamma treatment was associated with the development of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). The present study was undertaken to investigate whether rhuIFN-gamma-induced bacillary clearance could be disassociated from the induction of ENL. rhuIFN-gamma was administered together with thalidomide and conventional multidrug chemotherapy to newly diagnosed leprosy patients. During treatment with this combination of drugs, the mean reduction in bacterial load was the same as the reduction observed with chemotherapy alone. Moreover, the inclusion of thalidomide in the treatment regimen was associated with a low frequency of ENL episodes. A second group of leprosy patients, who had already completed 2 years of chemotherapy, were treated with rhuIFN-gamma only. In those patients who were skin bacilli negative, ENL did not occur during rhuIFN-gamma treatment. In contrast, in bacilli-positive patients the frequency of ENL during rhuIFN-gamma treatment was higher, as was the occurrence of local erythema and induration. However, rhuIFN-gamma treatment without concomitant chemotherapy did not result in a reduction in the bacterial load in the skin of bacilli-positive patients. These findings, taken together, indicate that rhuIFN-gamma does not, by itself, accelerate bacterial clearance, but requires concomitant chemotherapy to achieve the accelerated reduction in bacillary load. Thalidomide reduces the frequency of IFN-gamma-induced ENL, but also eliminates the IFN-gamma-induced bacillary clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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36
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Vieira LM, Sampaio EP, Nery JA, Duppre NC, Albuquerque EC, Scheinberg MA, Sarno EN. Immunological status of ENL (erythema nodosum leprosum) patients: its relationship to bacterial load and levels of circulating IL-2R. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 1996; 38:103-11. [PMID: 9071029 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46651996000200004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent data suggest that the clinical course of reactional states in leprosy is closely related to the cytokine profile released locally or systemically by the patients. In the present study, patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) were grouped according to the intensity of their clinical symptoms. Clinical and immunological aspects of ENL and the impact of these parameters on bacterial load were assessed in conjunction with patients' in vitro immune response to mycobacterial antigens. In 10 out of the 17 patients tested, BI (bacterial index) was reduced by at least 1 log from leprosy diagnosis to the onset of their first reactional episode (ENL), as compared to an expected 0.3 log reduction in the unreactional group for the same MDT (multidrug therapy) period. However, no difference in the rate of BI reduction was noted at the end of MDT among ENL and unreactional lepromatous patients. Accordingly, although TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) levels were enhanced in the sera of 70.6% of the ENL patients tested, no relationship was noted between circulating TNF-alpha levels and the decrease in BI detected at the onset of the reactional episode. Evaluation of bacterial viability of M. leprae isolated from the reactional lesions showed no growth in the mouse footpads. Only 20% of the patients demonstrated specific immune response to M. leprae during ENL. Moreover, high levels of soluble IL-2R (interleukin-2 receptor) were present in 78% of the patients. Circulating anti-neural (anti-ceramide and anti-galactocerebroside antibodies) and anti-mycobacterial antibodies were detected in ENL patients' sera as well, which were not related to the clinical course of disease. Our data suggest that bacterial killing is enhanced during reactions. Emergence of specific immune response to M. leprae and the effective role of TNF-alpha in mediating fragmentation of bacteria still need to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Vieira
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sarno EN, Nery JA, Garcia CC, Sampaio EP. Is pentoxifylline a viable alternative in the treatment of ENL? Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 1995; 63:570-1. [PMID: 8642222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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38
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Sampaio EP, Caneshi JR, Nery JA, Duppre NC, Pereira GM, Vieira LM, Moreira AL, Kaplan G, Sarno EN. Cellular immune response to Mycobacterium leprae infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Infect Immun 1995; 63:1848-54. [PMID: 7729894 PMCID: PMC173234 DOI: 10.1128/iai.63.5.1848-1854.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae and other mycobacterial antigens were studied in 11 leprosy patients with concurrent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Three patients manifested borderline lepromatous leprosy, and eight patients had borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy. Despite the low CD4+ T-cell count in the peripheral blood, no histologic or phenotypic change in the cellular infiltrate in either the lepromatous or tuberculoid lesions was observed when compared with HIV-1-negative patients. Lepromatous lesions contained heavily parasitized macrophages and few CD8+ T cells. Lesions from the patients with BT leprosy showed extensive CD4+ T-cell infiltration despite a significant reduction in CD4+ T-cell counts in the peripheral blood. No acid-fast bacilli were detected in the tuberculoid lesions. HIV-1 infection did not alter the lack of response in lepromatous leprosy to M. leprae antigens either in vitro or in vivo. In contrast, the skin test response to M. leprae antigens as well as the in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to mycobacterial antigens that are usually seen in patients with tuberculoid leprosy were abrogated in the BT HIV-1+ patients. However, production of gamma interferon in response to the same stimuli was preserved in most of the patients. Analysis of cytokine gene expression showed activation of additional cytokine genes in the unstimulated peripheral blood cells of patients with both leprosy and HIV-1 infections as compared with cells from patients with leprosy alone. These results suggest that granuloma formation in leprosy can be independent of the impaired CD4+ T-cell response of the HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, in HIV-1+ individuals with M. leprae infection, activation of cytokine genes is observed even when the circulating CD4+ T-cell count is significantly reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Department, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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39
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Schauf V, Rom WN, Smith KA, Sampaio EP, Meyn PA, Tramontana JM, Cohn ZA, Kaplan G. Cytokine gene activation and modified responsiveness to interleukin-2 in the blood of tuberculosis patients. J Infect Dis 1993; 168:1056-9. [PMID: 8376820 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/168.4.1056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Selected parameters of cellular immunity relating to cytokine gene activation and responsiveness to interleukin-2 (IL-2) were analyzed in 27 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and no human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Cytokine mRNAs were not expressed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of normal controls. In PBMC of tuberculosis patients, messages for IL-1, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were uniformly expressed, whereas PBMC of only 5 of 18 patients expressed IL-6. PBMC of 7 patients (all of those with systemic symptoms) expressed interferon-gamma mRNA and none expressed IL-2 mRNA. Most patients' cells demonstrated IL-4 mRNA. Limiting dilution analysis of IL-2-responsive cells in PBMC revealed that tuberculosis patients had 10-fold fewer IL-2-responsive cells than did controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Schauf
- Rockefeller University, New York, New York
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Sampaio EP, Kaplan G, Miranda A, Nery JA, Miguel CP, Viana SM, Sarno EN. The influence of thalidomide on the clinical and immunologic manifestation of erythema nodosum leprosum. J Infect Dis 1993; 168:408-14. [PMID: 8335978 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/168.2.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunologic and clinical manifestations of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and their response to thalidomide therapy were evaluated. Circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels were assayed in serum obtained from lepromatous leprosy patients at diagnosis, during multidrug therapy, at the onset of ENL episodes, and during treatment with thalidomide. Patients with systemic ENL demonstrated the highest serum TNF alpha levels, which decreased significantly during thalidomide treatment. Serum TNF alpha in nonreactional patients was associated with mild flu-like symptoms and local inflammatory lesions. Serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was also elevated in patients with high TNF alpha levels. Thalidomide therapy reduced not only serum TNF alpha levels and the clinical symptoms but also the dermal infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and T cells. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on the epidermal keratinocytes was also down-regulated. These results indicate that the thalidomide-induced alleviation of clinical symptoms of ENL was associated with a reduction of TNF alpha levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Unit, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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41
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Sampaio EP, Duppre NC, Nery JA, Moreira AL, Sarno EN. Development of giant reaction in response to PPD skin test in lepromatous leprosy patients. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis 1993; 61:205-213. [PMID: 8371029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study analyzes some clinical and immunological aspects of the giant reaction (GR) in lepromatous leprosy. Sixteen out of a total of 147 (10.9%) lepromatous patients developed the clinical features of GR upon the intradermal administration of PPD; most (14 of 16) GRs occurred in bacteriologically positive cases. GR precipitated an episode of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) in three patients. In addition, patients with GR showed enhanced in vitro response to PPD, by the lymphoproliferation test and interferon-gamma assay, as compared to either PPD-negative individuals or PPD-positive patients without GR. Therefore, cell-mediated-immune response to mycobacterial antigens is present in lepromatous patients with GR. It is suggested that the exacerbated in vivo response to PPD in lepromatous leprosy is the result of an increased immunoreactivity to the antigen, which well may be associated with the local and/or systemic release of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)] by the inflammatory cells. These episodes may, in fact, play an important role in determining the development of disabilities and reactional states, thereby interfering with the prognosis of leprosy disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Leprosy Unit, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Moreira AL, Sampaio EP, Zmuidzinas A, Frindt P, Smith KA, Kaplan G. Thalidomide exerts its inhibitory action on tumor necrosis factor alpha by enhancing mRNA degradation. J Exp Med 1993; 177:1675-80. [PMID: 8496685 PMCID: PMC2191046 DOI: 10.1084/jem.177.6.1675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 787] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We have examined the mechanism of thalidomide inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production and found that the drug enhances the degradation of TNF-alpha mRNA. Thus, the half-life of the molecule was reduced from approximately 30 to approximately 17 min in the presence of 50 micrograms/ml of thalidomide. Inhibition of TNF-alpha production was selective, as other LPS-induced monocyte cytokines were unaffected. Pentoxifylline and dexamethasone, two other inhibitors of TNF-alpha production, are known to exert their effects by means of different mechanisms, suggesting that the three agents inhibit TNF-alpha synthesis at distinct points of the cytokine biosynthetic pathway. These observations provide an explanation for the synergistic effects of these drugs. The selective inhibition of TNF-alpha production makes thalidomide an ideal candidate for the treatment of inflammatory conditions where TNF-alpha-induced toxicities are observed and where immunity must remain intact.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Moreira
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021
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43
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Sampaio EP, Moreira AL, Sarno EN, Malta AM, Kaplan G. Prolonged treatment with recombinant interferon gamma induces erythema nodosum leprosum in lepromatous leprosy patients. J Exp Med 1992; 175:1729-37. [PMID: 1588290 PMCID: PMC2119233 DOI: 10.1084/jem.175.6.1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
10 patients with borderline and lepromatous leprosy were selected for a prolonged trial with recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma). Patients received 30 micrograms intradermally for six injections over a 9-d period, and then either 100 micrograms intradermally every 1 mo for 10 mo or every 2 wk for 5 mo (total, 1.2 mg). Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) was induced in 60% of the patients within 6-7 mo, as compared with an incidence of 15% per year with multiple drug therapy alone. The mean whole-body reduction in bacterial index over the first 6 mo was 0.9 log units. Cutaneous induration at the intradermal injection sites of greater than or equal to 15 mm predicted the development of a subsequent reactional state. Monocytes obtained from patients receiving the lymphokine demonstrated an increased respiratory burst and a 2.5-5.1-fold increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion in response to agonists. Patients in ENL had an even higher release of TNF-alpha from monocytes as well as high levels of TNF-alpha in the plasma (mean, 2,000 pg/ml). Thalidomide therapy was required to treat the systemic manifestations of ENL. Control of toxic symptoms with thalidomide was associated with a 50-80% reduction in agonist-stimulated monocyte TNF-alpha secretion. IFN-gamma enhanced the monocyte release of TNF-alpha by 3-7.5-fold (agonist dependent) when added to patient's cells in vitro, and this could be suppressed by the in vitro addition of 10 micrograms/ml of thalidomide.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021
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Sampaio EP, Moreira AL, Kaplan G, Alvim MF, Duppre NC, Miranda CF, Sarno EN. Mycobacterium leprae-induced interferon-gamma production by household contacts of leprosy patients: association with the development of active disease. J Infect Dis 1991; 164:990-3. [PMID: 1940481 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/164.5.990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of individuals at risk for developing leprosy and their early diagnosis are central to effective disease control. Lack of immunologic response to Mycobacterium leprae among persons exposed to the infectious agent may be predictive of susceptibility. M. leprae-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was used as a measure of immune responsiveness. Household contacts of multibacillary patients likely to be at risk of developing active disease were identified, and a preliminary analysis after 2 years of follow-up is presented. A persistent in vitro negative response to M. leprae was present in 34.6% of the contacts, and a decrease in IFN-gamma production was noted in 52.5%. Five contacts (6.41%) developed leprosy during follow-up and, as predicted, belonged to the group of individuals who were negative or showed reduced levels of IFN-gamma in response to the antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021
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45
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Sampaio EP, Sarno EN, Galilly R, Cohn ZA, Kaplan G. Thalidomide selectively inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha production by stimulated human monocytes. J Exp Med 1991; 173:699-703. [PMID: 1997652 PMCID: PMC2118820 DOI: 10.1084/jem.173.3.699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 845] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide selectively inhibits the production of human monocyte tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) when these cells are triggered with lipopolysaccharide and other agonists in culture. 40% inhibition occurs at the clinically achievable dose of the drug of 1 micrograms/ml. In contrast, the amount of total protein and individual proteins labeled with [35S]methionine and expressed on SDS-PAGE are not influenced. The amounts of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor produced by monocytes remain unaltered. The selectivity of this drug may be useful in determining the role of TNF-alpha in vivo and modulating its toxic effects in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Sampaio
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021
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46
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Abstract
This study was performed in order to analyse whether the immune unresponsiveness to Mycobacterium leprae, largely seen in lepromatous patients, persisted after discharge from treatment. Lymphoproliferation and skin tests were performed using two mycobacterial antigens (M. leprae and BCG) in three groups of lepromatous patients grouped by treatment status. Forty-seven per cent of the lepromatous patients tested acquired reactivity to M. leprae after long-term treatment.
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47
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Isaac L, Pereira M, Santos M, Sampaio EP, Lima NR, Lage MJ, Araújo-Jorge TC. Trypanosoma cruzi: plasma levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin during experimental murine infections with reticulotropic and myotropic strains. Parasitol Res 1990; 76:726-8. [PMID: 1701252 DOI: 10.1007/bf00931096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Isaac
- Depto de Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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48
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Kaplan G, Sampaio EP, Walsh GP, Burkhardt RA, Fajardo TT, Guido LS, de Miranda Machado A, Cellona RV, Abalos RM, Sarno EN. Influence of Mycobacterium leprae and its soluble products on the cutaneous responsiveness of leprosy patients to antigen and recombinant interleukin 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1989; 86:6269-73. [PMID: 2668961 PMCID: PMC297819 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.86.16.6269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Experiments were carried out in the skin of patients with leprosy to examine whether suppressor cell populations either exist in the skin of multibacillary lepromatous leprosy patients, can be activated with antigen, or are induced to emigrate into a cutaneous site from the circulation. For this purpose, purified protein derivative of tuberculin, a delayed-type antigen that generates a cell-mediated immune response, was introduced into the skin alone or with nonviable Mycobacterium leprae bacilli. Areas of induration and the resulting numbers and phenotypes of emigratory cells were not influenced by M. leprae and its products. Further studies examined the ability of M. leprae and its soluble products to modify the cutaneous response to intradermal injection of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2), a lymphokine that mimics a cell-mediated response. Neither the simultaneous injection of M. leprae and IL-2, nor the prior injection of M. leprae followed in 2 days by IL-2, nor the prior administration of IL-2 followed in 4 days by M. leprae, into the same skin site, modified the zone of induration generated by IL-2. In addition, the immunocytochemical and histopathological evaluation of biopsy specimens of skin sites showed no difference between sites injected with IL-2 and sites injected with IL-2 and M. leprae. We conclude that suppressor T cells, if they exist, do not influence the gross or microscopic responsiveness of a cell-mediated skin reaction to antigen and IL-2. IL-2 did, however, enhance the responsiveness of skin-test-positive tuberculoid patients and family contacts to M. leprae antigens by a synergistic effect on the zone of induration and local cell accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kaplan
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021
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Araújo-Jorge TC, Sampaio EP, De Souza W, Meirelles MDN. Trypanosoma cruzi: the effect of variations in experimental conditions on the levels of macrophage infection in vitro. Parasitol Res 1989; 75:257-63. [PMID: 2649878 DOI: 10.1007/bf00931809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A comparative and systematic analysis of the different experimental conditions used in Trypanosoma cruzi-macrophage interaction assays is presented. A pH range from 6.2 to 6.9 is favorable for parasite invasion, as is the use of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). The washing procedures used in purification protocols also enhance the parasites' ability to penetrate macrophages. However, the main factor affecting the quantitative parameter of this in vitro infection, regardless of the parasite: cell ratio, is the number of macrophages provided to the parasites. These results, reviewed and compared with the corresponding literature, strongly suggest that macrophage surface areas and/or receptors are the limiting factors for optimal quantitative determination of the interaction of T. cruzi in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Araújo-Jorge
- Departamento de Ultraestrutura e Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Sarno EN, Sampaio EP, Moreira AL, Alvarenga FB. Isolation and functional characterization of mononuclear phagocytes from human lepromatous lesions. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1987; 20:205-7. [PMID: 3507744 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86821987000400004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, inflammatory cells from human lepromatous lesions were isolated by enzymatic dissociation of tissue. They were maintained in culture up to five days and their morphologic, cythochemicaland functional characteristics were described.
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