Dissociation of disease susceptibility, inflammation and cytokine profile in lmr1/2 congenic mice infected with Leishmania major

Abstract

Severity of disease caused by Leishmania major depends on the genetics of the host. Early induction of T helper cell type 1 (Th1)-type responses in resistant C57BL/6 mice and T helper cell type 2 (Th2) in susceptible BALB/c mice is thought to determine cure or disease respectively. We have mapped three loci that confer susceptibility or resistance upon congenic mice on the C57BL/6 or BALB/c backgrounds. Here we examine the histopathology and production of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the skin and draining lymph nodes in the congenic and parental mice. We show an evolving granuloma with a staged infiltration of inflammatory cells, but no difference between the groups. ..