BACKGROUND: 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.
METHODS: Newly diagnosed tuberculoid & 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 & DEFB in r32kDa-stimulated PBMC were performed. Controls comprised of house-hold contacts and healthy endemic subjects.
RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-23, VDR and antimicrobial-peptides LL37 & DEFB after treatment and when compared to that of HHC and HC respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: 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.
BT - International immunology C1 -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26921215?dopt=Abstract
DO - 10.1093/intimm/dxw009 J2 - Int. Immunol. LA - eng N2 -BACKGROUND: 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.
METHODS: Newly diagnosed tuberculoid & 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 & DEFB in r32kDa-stimulated PBMC were performed. Controls comprised of house-hold contacts and healthy endemic subjects.
RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-23, VDR and antimicrobial-peptides LL37 & DEFB after treatment and when compared to that of HHC and HC respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: 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.
PY - 2016 T2 - International immunology TI - Mycobacterial r32-kDa Ag specific T cell responses correlate with successful treatment and heightened antimicrobial response in human leprosy patients. SN - 1460-2377 ER -