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The Role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor in Immunity to Leishmania major Infection.

ABSTRACT: Vitamin D signaling modulates a variety of immune responses. Here, we assessed the role of vitamin D in immunity to experimental leishmaniasis infection in vitamin D receptor-deficient mice (VDRKO). We observed that VDRKO mice on a genetically resistant background have decreased Leishmania major-induced lesion development compared to wild-type (WT) mice; additionally, parasite loads in infected dermis were significantly lower at the height of infection. Enzymatic depletion of the active form of vitamin D mimics the ablation of VDR resulting in an increased resistance to L. major. Conversely, VDRKO or vitamin D-deficient mice on the susceptible Th2-biased background had no change in susceptibility. These studies indicate vitamin D deficiency, either through the ablation of VDR or elimination of its ligand, 1,25D3, leads to an increase resistance to L. major infection but only in a host that is predisposed for Th-1 immune responses.

SUBMITTER: Whitcomb JP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3191735 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor in Immunity to Leishmania major Infection.

Whitcomb James P JP Deagostino Mary M Ballentine Mark M Fu Jun J Tenniswood Martin M Welsh Joellen J Cantorna Margherita M McDowell Mary Ann MA

Journal of parasitology research 20111011

Vitamin D signaling modulates a variety of immune responses. Here, we assessed the role of vitamin D in immunity to experimental leishmaniasis infection in vitamin D receptor-deficient mice (VDRKO). We observed that VDRKO mice on a genetically resistant background have decreased Leishmania major-induced lesion development compared to wild-type (WT) mice; additionally, parasite loads in infected dermis were significantly lower at the height of infection. Enzymatic depletion of the active form of ...[more]

PMID: 22007288

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Project description:Salivary components from disease vectors help arthropods to acquire blood and have been shown to enhance pathogen transmission in different model systems. Here we show that two salivary enzymes from Lutzomyia longipalpis have a synergist effect that facilitates a more efficient blood meal intake and diffusion of other sialome components. We have previously shown that Lundep, a highly active endonuclease, enhances parasite infection and prevent blood clotting by inhibiting the intrinsic pathway of coagulation. To investigate the physiological role of a salivary hyaluronidase in blood feeding we cloned and expressed a recombinant hyaluronidase from Lu. longipalpis. Recombinant hyaluronidase (LuloHya) was expressed in mammalian cells and biochemically characterized in vitro. Our study showed that expression of neutrophil CXC chemokines and colony stimulating factors were upregulated in HMVEC cells after incubation with LuloHya and Lundep. These results were confirmed by the acute hemorrhage, edema and inflammation in a dermal necrosis (dermonecrotic) assay involving a massive infiltration of leukocytes, especially neutrophils, in mice co-injected with hemorrhagic factor and these two salivary proteins. Moreover, flow cytometry results showed that LuloHya and Lundep promote neutrophil recruitment to the bite site that may serve as a vehicle for establishment of Leishmania infection. A vaccination experiment demonstrated that LuloHya and Lundep confer protective immunity against cutaneous leishmaniasis using the Lu. longipalpis-Leishmania major combination as a model. Animals (C57BL/6) immunized with LuloHya or Lundep showed minimal skin damage while lesions in control animals remained ulcerated. This protective immunity was abrogated when B-cell-deficient mice were used indicating that antibodies against both proteins play a significant role for disease protection. Rabbit-raised anti-LuloHya antibodies completely abrogated hyaluronidase activity in vitro. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that blocking LuloHya with specific antibodies interferes with sand fly blood feeding. This work highlights the relevance of vector salivary components in blood feeding and parasite transmission and further suggests the inclusion of these salivary proteins as components for an anti-Leishmania vaccine.

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The Role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor in Immunity to Leishmania major Infection.

Publications

The Role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor in Immunity to Leishmania major Infection.

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