IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.

<h4>Background</h4>Although immunopathology dictates clinical outcome in leprosy, the dynamics of early and chronic infection are poorly defined. In the tuberculoid region of the spectrum, Mycobacterium leprae growth is restricted yet a severe granulomatous lesion can occur. The evolutio...

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Main Authors: Deanna A Hagge, David M Scollard, Nashone A Ray, Vilma T Marks, Angelina T Deming, John S Spencer, Linda B Adams
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-09-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003149
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author Deanna A Hagge
David M Scollard
Nashone A Ray
Vilma T Marks
Angelina T Deming
John S Spencer
Linda B Adams
author_facet Deanna A Hagge
David M Scollard
Nashone A Ray
Vilma T Marks
Angelina T Deming
John S Spencer
Linda B Adams
author_sort Deanna A Hagge
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Although immunopathology dictates clinical outcome in leprosy, the dynamics of early and chronic infection are poorly defined. In the tuberculoid region of the spectrum, Mycobacterium leprae growth is restricted yet a severe granulomatous lesion can occur. The evolution and maintenance of chronic inflammatory processes like those observed in the leprosy granuloma involve an ongoing network of communications via cytokines. IL-10 has immunosuppressive properties and IL-10 genetic variants have been associated with leprosy development and reactions.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>The role of IL-10 in resistance and inflammation in leprosy was investigated using Mycobacterium leprae infection of mice deficient in IL-10 (IL-10-/-), as well as mice deficient in both inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2-/-) and IL-10 (10NOS2-/-). Although a lack of IL-10 did not affect M. leprae multiplication in the footpads (FP), inflammation increased from C57Bl/6 (B6)<IL-10-/-<NOS2-/-<10NOS2-/-. While IL-10-/- mice exhibited modest FP induration compared to B6, NOS2-/- and 10NOS2-/- mice developed markedly enlarged FP marking distinct phases: early (1 month), peak (3-4 months), and chronic (8 months). IFN-γ-producing CD4+CD44+ cells responding to M. leprae cell wall, membrane, and cytosol antigens and ML2028 (Ag85B) were significantly increased in the evolved granuloma in NOS2-/- FP compared to B6 and IL-10-/- during early and peak phases. In 10NOS2-/- FP, CD4+CD44+ and especially CD8+CD44+ responses were augmented even further to these antigens as well as to ML0380 (GroES), ML2038 (bacterioferritin), and ML1877 (EF-Tu). Moreover, fragmented nerves containing CD4+ cells were present in 10NOS2-/- FP.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The 10NOS2-/- strain offers insight on the regulation of granuloma formation and maintenance by immune modulators in the resistant forms of leprosy and presents a new model for investigating the pathogenesis of neurological involvement.
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spelling doaj-art-239a2474aac1493c943ed5f99f7dca3e2025-08-20T02:35:36ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352014-09-0189e314910.1371/journal.pntd.0003149IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.Deanna A HaggeDavid M ScollardNashone A RayVilma T MarksAngelina T DemingJohn S SpencerLinda B Adams<h4>Background</h4>Although immunopathology dictates clinical outcome in leprosy, the dynamics of early and chronic infection are poorly defined. In the tuberculoid region of the spectrum, Mycobacterium leprae growth is restricted yet a severe granulomatous lesion can occur. The evolution and maintenance of chronic inflammatory processes like those observed in the leprosy granuloma involve an ongoing network of communications via cytokines. IL-10 has immunosuppressive properties and IL-10 genetic variants have been associated with leprosy development and reactions.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>The role of IL-10 in resistance and inflammation in leprosy was investigated using Mycobacterium leprae infection of mice deficient in IL-10 (IL-10-/-), as well as mice deficient in both inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2-/-) and IL-10 (10NOS2-/-). Although a lack of IL-10 did not affect M. leprae multiplication in the footpads (FP), inflammation increased from C57Bl/6 (B6)<IL-10-/-<NOS2-/-<10NOS2-/-. While IL-10-/- mice exhibited modest FP induration compared to B6, NOS2-/- and 10NOS2-/- mice developed markedly enlarged FP marking distinct phases: early (1 month), peak (3-4 months), and chronic (8 months). IFN-γ-producing CD4+CD44+ cells responding to M. leprae cell wall, membrane, and cytosol antigens and ML2028 (Ag85B) were significantly increased in the evolved granuloma in NOS2-/- FP compared to B6 and IL-10-/- during early and peak phases. In 10NOS2-/- FP, CD4+CD44+ and especially CD8+CD44+ responses were augmented even further to these antigens as well as to ML0380 (GroES), ML2038 (bacterioferritin), and ML1877 (EF-Tu). Moreover, fragmented nerves containing CD4+ cells were present in 10NOS2-/- FP.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The 10NOS2-/- strain offers insight on the regulation of granuloma formation and maintenance by immune modulators in the resistant forms of leprosy and presents a new model for investigating the pathogenesis of neurological involvement.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003149
spellingShingle Deanna A Hagge
David M Scollard
Nashone A Ray
Vilma T Marks
Angelina T Deming
John S Spencer
Linda B Adams
IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
title_full IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
title_fullStr IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
title_full_unstemmed IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
title_short IL-10 and NOS2 modulate antigen-specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by T cells in experimental leprosy.
title_sort il 10 and nos2 modulate antigen specific reactivity and nerve infiltration by t cells in experimental leprosy
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003149
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