02121nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001653002400042653001200066653001200078653001000090653001400100653002900114100001400143700001700157700001200174700001400186700001500200700001300215700001100228700001400239245015600253520144400409022001401853       2016                            d10aTreatment correlate10ar32-kDa10aleprosy10aIndia10aCytokines10aAnti-microbial responses1 aNeela VSK1 aDevalraju KP1 aPydi SS1 aSunder SR1 aAdiraju KR1 aSingh SS1 aMpjs A1 aValluri V00aMycobacterial r32-kDa Ag specific T cell responses correlate with successful treatment and heightened antimicrobial response in human leprosy patients.3 a<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>
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