Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated in the natural protection and healing of leishmaniasis by their ability to secrete the macrophage activating cytokine interferon (IFN)gamma. Previous studies have demonstrated that early production of interleukin (IL)-12 triggers IFN gamma secretion by NK cells. Here we report that live Leishmania promastigotes (the form that is injected by the vector) can directly induce human peripheral blood NK cells from healthy donors to IFN gamma secretion in the absence of IL-12 and professional antigen presenting cells. Killing of promastigotes abolishes this property. This novel mechanism of activation of the innate immune response may be relevant for establishment of infection and thus also the design of vaccines against leishmaniasis.

Original publication

DOI

10.1046/j.1365-2249.2003.02096.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clin exp immunol

Publication Date

03/2003

Volume

131

Pages

457 - 467

Keywords

Animals, Antigens, Protozoan, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cell Division, Cell Line, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Glycosphingolipids, Humans, Immunophenotyping, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-10, Killer Cells, Natural, Leishmania, Protozoan Proteins