The expression of Langerhans cell (LC) and dermal dendritic cell (dDC) as well as T CD4(+) and CD8(+) immune responses was evaluated in the skin of BALB/c mice experimentally infected by L. (L.) amazonensis (La) and L. (V.) braziliensis (Lb). At 4th and 8th weeks post infection (PI), skin biopsies were collected to determine the parasite load and CD207(+), CD11c(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), iNOS(+) cellular densities. Cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10) profiles were also analysed in draining lymph node. At 4th week, the densities of CD207(+) and CD11c(+) were higher in the La infection, while in the Lb infection, these markers revealed a significant increase at 8th week. At 4th week, CD4(+) and CD8(+) were higher in the La infection, but at 8th week, there was a substantial increase in both markers in the Lb infection. iNOS(+) was higher in the Lb infection at 4th and 8th weeks. In contrast, the parasite load was higher in the La infection at 4th and 8th weeks. The concentration of IFN-γ was higher in the Lb infection, but IL-4 and IL-10 were higher in the La infection at 4th and 8th weeks. These results confirm the role of the Leishmania species in the BALB/c mice disease characterized by differences in the expression of dendritic cells and cellular immune response.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.