Monocyte subpopulations as important biomarkers of resistence and susceptibility during experimental infection with Leishmania (Leishmania) major

In this study, we have analyzed the frequency of monocyte subpopulations in mice infected with Leishmania major (L. major). Our results show a significant correlation between increased blood monocyte frequency and lesion development in both BALB/c and in the C57BL/6 mice infected with L. major. In BALB/c mice we observed a significant correlation between the frequency of GR1+ monocytes and lesion size. Furthermore, treatment of infected BALB/c mice with Anfotericin B, to resolve lesions, resulted in a lower frequency of GR1+ monocytes compared to untreated infected BALB/c mice. C57BL/6 infected mice, which normally resolve infections, show decreased numbers of monocytes during the healing phase of infection. The results indicate that disease severity can be predicted by analyzing monocyte frequency. Thus, we propose that the frequency of monocytes, can be used to define the severity of the disease as well as the success of the treatment in experimental leishmaniasis.
Source: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research