Expression of IL-1 family cytokines in patients before and after Cutaneous Leishmaniasis cure

Abstract BackgroundThe production of IL-1 family cytokines serves as an important trigger for the activation of an effector immune response developed in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). An inflammatory exacerbation is also attributed to such cytokines, as well as the participation of regulation through Th2 responses, which need to be further clarified in the CL. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of IL-1 cytokines associated with different immune response profiles in patients before and after antimony therapy, induced by antigenic stimulation of L. braziliensis.MethodsGene (IL1A, IL1B, IL37, IL18 and IL1RN) and protein (IL-1α, β and 37) expressions were evaluated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with active and healed lesions, after undergoing the therapeutic regimen with Glucantime®. Cells were cultured and stimulated for 72h with total antigens obtained from L. braziliensis promastigotes. Relative data were normalized to healthy subjects.ResultsThe increase in transcripts of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α/β and IL-37, demonstrates the heterogeneity of immune responses in CL, as well as the involvement of regulation in the response to L. braziliensis. Even after healing, immune cells from patients continue to significantly produce inflammatory IL-1 cytokines in response to new stimuli, while exhibiting an interesting negative modulation of IL18 and IL1RN, which perhaps contributes to the resistance mechanisms that control Leishmania infection.