Regulatory T cells, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and a T_H1 cytokine profile in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum

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• 作者：Laura Cortese ; Mariangela Annunziatella ; Anna Teresa Palatucci ; Valentina Rubino ; Diego Piantedosi ; Antonio Di Loria ; Giuseppina Ruggiero ; Paolo Ciaramella ; Giuseppe Terrazzano
• 关键词：Leishmaniasis ; Dogs ; T CD8+ ; T CD4+ ; T regulatory cells ; Flow cytometry
• 刊名：Research in Veterinary Science
• 出版年：December, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：95
• 期：3
• 页码：942-949
• 全文大小：1747 K

文摘

Canine leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum is a chronic systemic disease endemic in Mediterranean basin. The aim of the study is to investigate the immune profile of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. In order to address such issue, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocyte T cell subsets, peripheral CD4⁺CD3⁺Foxp3⁺ (Treg) levels and the presence of pro-inflammatory T cells have been assessed, in 45 infected dogs and in 30 healthy animals, by using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry detection. Animals were categorised according to their clinical-pathological status and their antibody titer at diagnosis. Results showing a significant increase of CD8⁺CD3⁺ T lymphocytes, a reduced percentage of the T regulatory CD4⁺CD3⁺Foxp3⁺ subset and a significant increase of T_H1 cells, characterise the infected dogs, regardless of their antibody titer or the occurrence of clinical symptomatic disease. These data may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of immune-mediated alterations associated with canine leishmaniasis.