Insufficient generation of Th17 cells in IL-23p19-deficient BALB/c mice protects against progressive cutaneous leishmaniasis

Exp Dermatol. 2018 Jan;27(1):101-103. doi: 10.1111/exd.13455. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Abstract

Healing of leishmaniasis-a parasitic skin disease-is associated with high levels of secreted interferon (IFN)γ and IL-12 in resistant C57BL/6 mice and humans. Susceptible BALB/c mice predominantly react with a Th17/Th2/Treg-related immune response and finally succumb to infection. Previously, we showed that BALB/c IL-17A-/- mice are protected against Leishmania (L.) major infections, indicating that IL-17A-predominantly produced by Th17 cells-plays an important role for disease outcome. We now investigated DC-derived cytokines and finally identified IL-23p19 as key cytokine responsible for induction of Leishmania-specific Th17 cells that play an important role for progressive disease in susceptible BALB/c mice.

Keywords: IL-23; Leishmaniasis; Pathogenic; Th17.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 / genetics*
  • Leishmania major
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Th17 Cells / cytology*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Il23a protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-23 Subunit p19
  • Interferon-gamma