Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the failure to contain the growth of Leishmania parasites in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are not understood. L donovani amastigotes were quantified in cultured splenic aspirate cells to assess the function of IL-10 in lesional tissue ex vivo. In 67 patients with active VL, IL-10 neutralization promoted parasite killing in 73% and complete clearance in 30%, while 18% had more parasites and 9% did not change. The splenic cells secreted increased levels of both tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ) under IL-10-neutralizing conditions. These findings provide direct support for targeting IL-10 as an approach to therapy in human VL.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
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Cells, Cultured
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Interferon-gamma / metabolism
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Interleukin-10 / immunology
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Interleukin-10 / metabolism*
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Leishmania donovani / drug effects
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Leishmania donovani / growth & development*
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Leishmania donovani / immunology
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Leishmaniasis, Visceral / immunology
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Leishmaniasis, Visceral / parasitology*
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Macrophages / metabolism
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Macrophages / parasitology
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Male
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Spleen / metabolism
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Spleen / parasitology*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
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Young Adult
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Interleukin-10
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Interferon-gamma