Open AccessIncreased Interleukin 4 (IL-4) Receptor Expression and IL-4-Induced Decrease in IL-12 Production by Langerhans Cells Infected withLeishmania major
Author(s) -
Heidrun Moll,
Anabel Scharner,
Eckhart Kämpgen
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.70.3.1627-1630.2002
Subject(s) - biology , leishmania major , leishmania , cytokine , receptor expression , immunology , receptor , lipopolysaccharide , interleukin , interleukin 4 , interleukin 19 , interleukin 10 , interleukin 5 , microbiology and biotechnology , parasite hosting , biochemistry , world wide web , computer science
Langerhans cells (LC) take up Leishmania major and are critical for the induction of the parasite-specific T-cell response. Their functional activities are regulated by cytokines. We analyzed whether infection of LC with L. major modulates the expression of their cytokine receptors. The expression of the interleukin 4 (IL-4) receptor was increased on infected LC from susceptible mice but not on those from resistant mice. Moreover, IL-4 treatment strongly decreased the lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-12 response of infected LC from susceptible mice. This modulation of IL-4 receptor expression and IL-12 production by infection of LC with Leishmania may contribute to the development of Th2 cells and to susceptibility to infection.