6533b825fe1ef96bd1283235

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Cutaneous leishmaniasis: Distinct functions of dendritic cells and macrophages in the interaction of the host immune system with Leishmania major

Stefan TenzerEsther Von Stebut

subject

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes0301 basic medicineMicrobiology (medical)Leishmaniasis CutaneousAntigens ProtozoanMicrobiology03 medical and health sciencesImmune systemPhagocytosisCutaneous leishmaniasisAntigenmedicineAnimalsHumansMacrophageLeishmania majorLeishmania majorSkinbiologyMacrophagesDendritic CellsGeneral MedicineDendritic cellmedicine.diseasebiology.organism_classificationLeishmania030104 developmental biologyInfectious DiseasesVacuolesImmunologyInterleukin 12

description

Leishmaniasis is transmitted by sand flies leading to parasite inoculation into skin. In the mammalian host, the parasite primarily resides in skin macrophages (MΦ) and dendritic cells (DC). MΦ are silently invaded by the parasite eliciting a stress response, whereas DC become activated, release IL-12, and prime antigen-specific T cells. Here we review the basics of the immune response against this human pathogen and elucidate the role and function DC and MΦ for establishment of protective immunity against leishmaniasis. We focus on cell type-specific differences in parasite uptake, phagocyte activation and processing of parasite antigens to facilitate an understanding how their respective function may be modulated e.g. under therapeutic considerations.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2017-09-13International Journal of Medical Microbiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.11.002