Cutting edge: Mice defective in Fas are highly susceptible to Leishmania major infection despite elevated interleukin-12 synthesis, strong Th1 responses and enhanced nitric oxide production

Huang, F.-P., Xu, D., Esfandiari, E.-O., Sands, W., Wei, X.-q. and Liew, F. Y. (1998) Cutting edge: Mice defective in Fas are highly susceptible to Leishmania major infection despite elevated interleukin-12 synthesis, strong Th1 responses and enhanced nitric oxide production. Journal of Immunology, 160(9), pp. 4143-4147. (PMID:9574511)

Abstract

MRL/MP-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice have a single mutation (lpr) of the fasapoptosis gene. The mutant mice developed significantly smaller lesions than the wild-type mice at the earlier stage of infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania major. However, while all the wild-type mice achieved complete lesion resolution, the disease in the mutant mice progressed inexorably. The mutant mice had more IL-12 and nitrite/nitrate in the serum than wild-type mice following infection. Lymphoid cells from infected MRL/lpr mice produced more IFN-γ but less IL-4 and IL-5 than cells from MRL-+/+ mice. Peritoneal macrophages from the mutant mice also produced more IL-12 and NO after stimulation with LPS. Thus, Fas expression is essential for resistance against leishmaniasis, and Fas-mediated apoptosis may form an integral part of the Th1-mediated microbicidal function.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Liew, Prof Foo and Xu, Dr Damo and Sands, Dr William
• Authors: Huang, F.-P., Xu, D., Esfandiari, E.-O., Sands, W., Wei, X.-q., and Liew, F. Y.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Immunology
• Publisher: American Association of Immunologists
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• ISSN (Online): 1550-6606