Interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta in early and late lesions of patients with leishmania major induced cutaneous Leishmaniasis

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease, which imposes massive human distress and financial costs to the endemic countries. Better understanding of host immune response to the parasite leads to helpful strategies for disease control. Interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta are important immune regulatory cytokines, which appear to develop non-healing forms of leishmaniasis. However, there is little information about the function of IL-10 and TGF-beta in old world cutaneous leismaniasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of IL-10 and TGF-beta in human cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major infection. Biopsies were obtained from lesions of twenty proven cases of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis. IL-10 and TGF-beta positive cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections and compared between two groups of patients with early and late lesions. The mean percentage of IL-10 positive cells were significantly [P= 0.035] higher in late lesions [0.51 +/- 0.24] than early ones [0.15 +/- 0.07]. Similar results were obtained for TGF-beta with mean percentages of 0.16 +/- 0.05 and 0.53 +/- 0.28 in early and late lesions respectively [P= 0.008]. IL-10 and TGF-beta are present in lesions of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis and contribute to the pathogenesis of long lasting disease forms