@article{3319,
  keywords = {Biopsy, Cyclooxygenase 2, Humans, Isoenzymes, Leprosy, lepromatous, Leprosy, Tuberculoid, Macrophages, Membrane Proteins, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases},
  author = {Kiszewski A E C and Becerril E and Baquera J and Ruiz-Maldonado R and Hernández Pando R},
  title = {Expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 in lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy lesions.},
  abstract = {<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Leprosy is an infectious disease with two polar forms, tuberculoid leprosy (TL) and lepromatous leprosy (LL), which are dominated by T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells, respectively. High concentrations of prostaglandin E2 produced by the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in LL could inhibit Th1 cytokine production, contributing to T-cell anergy.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To compare the COX-2 expression in LL and TL.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Skin biopsies from 40 leprosy patients (LL, n = 20; TL, n = 20) were used to determine by immunohistochemistry and automated morphometry the percentage of COX-2 immunostained cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Most COX-2-positive cells were macrophages; their percentages in the inflammatory infiltrate located in the papillary dermis, reticular dermis and periadnexally were significantly higher in LL than TL (P < 0.001 by Student's t-test).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>The high expression of COX-2 in LL may be related to high prostaglandin production contributing to T-cell anergy.</p>},
  year = {2003},
  journal = {The British journal of dermatology},
  volume = {148},
  pages = {795-8},
  month = {2003 Apr},
  issn = {0007-0963},
  doi = {10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05179.x},
  language = {eng},
}