IL-17A/F in Leishmania major-resistant C57BL/6 mice

Exp Dermatol. 2019 Mar;28(3):321-323. doi: 10.1111/exd.13896.

Abstract

Proinflammatory IL-17 plays an important role in various diseases and defence against extracellular microorganisms. Healing of leishmaniasis is promoted by Th1/Tc1 cells, whereas Th2/Treg are associated with worsened disease outcome. In addition, high expression of IL-17A in Leishmania-susceptible BALB/c and artificial overexpression of IL-17A in T cells in resistant C57BL/6 mice worsened disease outcome. Since C57BL/6 mice lacking only IL-17A exhibited no phenotype, and IL-17A and IL-17F share similar receptors, but differentially regulate chemokine secretion, we studied mice lacking both IL-17A and IL-17F (IL-17A/F-/- ) in infections with Leishmania major. Interestingly, lesion volumes and parasite burdens were comparable to controls, IL-17A/F-/- mice developed a Th1/Tc1 phenotype, and exhibited normal lesion resolution. Thus, in C57BL/6 mice, secretion of IL-17A and IL-17F does not influence disease progression. It appears that-depending on the genetic background-cytokines of the IL-17 family might be responsible for disease progression primarily in susceptible mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / parasitology
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / parasitology
  • Leishmania / metabolism
  • Leishmaniasis / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phenotype
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / parasitology*
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / parasitology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Il17a protein, mouse
  • Il17f protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-17