Immunocytochemical characterization of immune cells in lesions of American cutaneous leishmaniasis using novel T cell markers

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 271 - 280
• Main Authors: Martínez-Arends, A., Tapia, F.J., Cáceres-Dittmar, G., Mosca, W., Valecillos, L., Convit, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.09.1991; Elsevier
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Antigens, CD - analysis; Avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biopsy; CD4-CD8 Ratio; Cell Count; Granulomas; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunohistochemistry; Infectious diseases; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - immunology; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - pathology; Leshmaniasis; Medical sciences; Parasitic diseases; Protozoal diseases; Skin - immunology; Skin - pathology; T cell phenotypes; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tropical medicine; South America; Venezuela; America; Granulomas; Leishmaniasis; Avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase; T cell phenotypes; Infection; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Protozoal disease; Skin disease; Phenotype; T-Lymphocyte; Skin
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/0001-706X(91)90078-X

Some recently defined lymphocyte immunophenotypes were determined in lesions of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). New monoclonal antibodies have allowed the demonstration of cell surface antigens of T lymphocytes, such as CD45RA and CD45RO, which recognize different maturational stages of the same T CD4+ cell subgroup: ‘virgin’ (CD4+CD45RA+) and ‘memory’ (CD4+CD45RO+) T cells respectively. The CD4/CD8 cell ratios were higher in mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) than in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) lesions. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) has the highest values of ‘virgin’ T cells; LCL and MCL patients have lower values, similar to each other. ‘Memory’ T cells were higher in MCL than in LCL or DCL. The ratio of ‘memory’/‘virgin’ T cells was 7.9 for LCL, 9.6 for MCL and 2.5 for DCL. The highest value for IL-2 receptor positive cells (CD25) was observed in LCL, whereas single CD45RO-immunoreactive cells showed a peak value in DCL patients. HLA-DR+ cells were present in all three clinical forms of ACL. MCL patients showed a lack of epithelial Langerhans cell (CDla+) in the nasal mucosa.