@article{32817,
  keywords = {Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), leprosy},
  author = {Silva PH and Santos L and Mendes M and Nery JA and Sarno E and Esquenazi D},
  title = {Involvement of TNF-Producing CD8 Effector Memory T Cells with Immunopathogenesis of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Leprosy Patients.},
  abstract = {<p>Type 2 reaction (T2R) or (ENL), a sudden episode of acute inflammation predominantly affecting lepromatous leprosy patients (LL), characterized by a reduced cellular immune response. This possibly indicates a close relationship between the onset of T2R and the altered frequency, and functional activity of T lymphocytes, particularly of memory subsets. This study performed ex vivo and in vitro characterizations of T cell blood subpopulations from LL patients with or without T2R. In addition, the evaluation of activity of these subpopulations was performed by analyzing the frequency of these cells producing IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-10 by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression of transcription factors, for the differentiation of T cells, were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed an increased frequency of CD8/TNF effector memory T cells (T) among T2Rs. Moreover, there was evidence of a reduced frequency of CD4 and CD8 IFN-γ-producing cells in T2R, and a reduced expression of and . Finally, a significant and positive correlation between bacillary index (BI) of T2R patients and CD4/TNF and CD4/IFN-γ T cells was observed. Thus, negative correlation between BI and the frequency of CD4/IL-10 T cells was noted. These results suggest that CD8/TNF T are primarily responsible for the transient alteration in the immune response to in ENL patients. Thus, our study will provide a better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and will lead to new promising therapeutic choices.</p>
},
  year = {2019},
  journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene},
  issn = {1476-1645},
  doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.18-0517},
  language = {eng},
}