@article{27289,
  keywords = {Treatment correlate, r32-kDa, leprosy, India, Cytokines, Anti-microbial responses},
  author = {Neela VSK and Devalraju KP and Pydi SS and Sunder SR and Adiraju KR and Singh SS and Mpjs A and Valluri V},
  title = {Mycobacterial r32-kDa Ag specific T cell responses correlate with successful treatment and heightened antimicrobial response in human leprosy patients.},
  abstract = {<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Immunological characterization of mycobacterial peptides may help not only in the preparation of a vaccine for leprosy but also in developing in vitro T cell assay that could perhaps be used as an in vitro correlate for treatment outcome. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the use of r32-kDa Ag stimulated T cell assay as a surrogate marker for treatment outcome and monitor Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) mediated antimicrobial responses during MDT in leprosy.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Newly diagnosed tuberculoid &amp; lepromatous leprosy patients were enrolled and followed-up during their course of multi-drug-therapy at 6(th) and 12(th) month. IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 levels in culture supernatants and expression of VDR, TLR2, LL37 &amp; DEFB in r32kDa-stimulated PBMC were performed. Controls comprised of house-hold contacts and healthy endemic subjects.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Significant differences were observed in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-23, VDR and antimicrobial-peptides LL37 &amp; DEFB after treatment and when compared to that of HHC and HC respectively.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>These findings suggest that responses to r32-kDa Ag reflect an improved immunological and antimicrobial response in leprosy patients during therapy, thereby indicating its potential use as an immune correlate in the treatment of leprosy patients.</p>
},
  year = {2016},
  journal = {International immunology},
  issn = {1460-2377},
  doi = {10.1093/intimm/dxw009},
  language = {eng},
}