ISSN:
1365-3083
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The potential leishmanicidal activity of interleukin-15 (IL-15) was examined while priming with the cytokine phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA)-activated macrophages and infecting them with Leishmania infantum parasites. The activation of macrophage cultures with IL-15 determined a significant anti-leishmanial activity, comparable with that induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The killing of Leishmania in macrophages primed with IL-15, as well as with IFN-γ, was followed by an increase in the IL-12 synthesis. The neutralization of IL-15 or IFN-γ, by specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) caused a significant reduction in leishmanicidal activity. Furthermore, in PMA-activated macrophages, the neutralization of IL-12 production by a specific anti-IL-12 MoAb reduced leishmanicidal activity induced by IL-15 and IFN-γ. Data indicate that IL-15 could have a role as an activator of leishmanicidal activity, directly or indirectly, by inducing IL-12 production.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01522.x