Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and is responsible for most Leishmania-associated deaths. VL represents a serious public health problem that affects many countries. The immune response in leishmaniasis is very complex and is poorly understood. The Th1 versus Th2...

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Main Authors: Rafael Paletta-Silva, José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Journal of Tropical Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/650874
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author Rafael Paletta-Silva
José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
author_facet Rafael Paletta-Silva
José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
author_sort Rafael Paletta-Silva
collection DOAJ
description Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and is responsible for most Leishmania-associated deaths. VL represents a serious public health problem that affects many countries. The immune response in leishmaniasis is very complex and is poorly understood. The Th1 versus Th2 paradigm does not appear to be so clear in visceral leishmaniasis, suggesting that other immunosuppressive or immune-evasion mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of VL. It has been demonstrated that generation of adenosine, a potent endogenous immunosuppressant, by extracellular enzymes capable to hydrolyze adenosine tri-nucleotide (ATP) at the site of infection, can lead to immune impairment and contribute to leishmaniasis progression. In this regard, this paper discusses the unique features in VL immunopathogenesis, including a possible role for ectonucleotidases in leishmaniasis.
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spelling doaj-art-cb7246cc0f7245a5a543fc2115804af42025-08-20T03:23:37ZengWileyJournal of Tropical Medicine1687-96861687-96942012-01-01201210.1155/2012/650874650874Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of EctonucleotidasesRafael Paletta-Silva0José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes1Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Bloco H, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilInstituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Bloco H, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and is responsible for most Leishmania-associated deaths. VL represents a serious public health problem that affects many countries. The immune response in leishmaniasis is very complex and is poorly understood. The Th1 versus Th2 paradigm does not appear to be so clear in visceral leishmaniasis, suggesting that other immunosuppressive or immune-evasion mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of VL. It has been demonstrated that generation of adenosine, a potent endogenous immunosuppressant, by extracellular enzymes capable to hydrolyze adenosine tri-nucleotide (ATP) at the site of infection, can lead to immune impairment and contribute to leishmaniasis progression. In this regard, this paper discusses the unique features in VL immunopathogenesis, including a possible role for ectonucleotidases in leishmaniasis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/650874
spellingShingle Rafael Paletta-Silva
José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
Journal of Tropical Medicine
title Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
title_full Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
title_fullStr Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
title_full_unstemmed Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
title_short Adenosine and Immune Imbalance in Visceral Leishmaniasis: The Possible Role of Ectonucleotidases
title_sort adenosine and immune imbalance in visceral leishmaniasis the possible role of ectonucleotidases
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/650874
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