In vivo blocking of L-selectin rescues BALB/c mice from fatal Leishmania major infection

Tamás Laskay*, Irene Wittmann, Andreas Diefenbach, Martin Röllinghoff, Werner Solbach

*Corresponding author for this work
3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Susceptibility and resistance to experimental Leishmania major (L. major) infection in mice are associated with a Th2- or Th1-type response, respectively. We have previously shown that immunological events occurring within the first 24 h after infection in the lymph node (LN) draining the site of parasite challenge are critical for the development of either type of T-cell responses. In the present study we manipulated these events by preventing the entry of naive lymphocytes into the draining LN by injecting BALB/c mice with a single dose of the anti-L-selectin mAb MEL-14 one day prior to infection with L. mafor. In contrast to control BALB/c mice, in MEL- 14 treated animals the primary lesion healed 12 weeks after infection. The parasite load in the spleen and lymph nodes of MEL-14 treated mice was significantly reduced. The healing was found to be associated with an increased production of IFN-γ and with a decrease in IL-4 production by LN cells. We observed a dramatic decrease in cellularity in the draining LN in Mel-14 treated L. major-infected mice within the first week of infection. Moreover, the cells in the LN of MEL-14 treated mice were highly enriched in activated cells as well as in cell influx in the draining LN after local L. major infection of BALB/c mice prevents fatal disease. The data suggest the MEL-14-induced enrichment of the draining LN in memory and activated cells is fundamental for the initiation of a protective Th1-type response.

Original languageEnglish
JournalImmunology Letters
Volume57
Issue number1-3
Pages (from-to)89-91
Number of pages3
ISSN0165-2478
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12.08.1997

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

DFG Research Classification Scheme

  • 2.21-03 Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
  • 2.22-31 Clinical Infectiology and Tropical Medicine

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