Regulatory role of exogenous IL-10 in the development of immune response versus Cryptococcus neoformans |
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Authors: | C MONARI C RETINI B PALAZZETTI F BISTONI A VECCHIRELLI |
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Institution: | Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy |
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Abstract: | The most important event involved in host defence against Cryptococcus neoformans is the development of an adequate cell-mediated immune response. IL-10, abundantly produced during AIDS progression, could be a negative factor that affects the T cell response through its own immunosuppressive action on antigen-presenting cells. To determine whether this cytokine affects the course of immune response against C. neoformans, we added exogenous IL-10 to cultured Cryptococcus-laden monocytes plus T lymphocytes. The data from this study confirmed the down-regulatory effect of exogenous IL-10 on monocytes and expanded the known inhibitory role to include an increase of the deleterious effect due to capsular material of C. neoformans on (i) lymphoproliferation, (ii) down-regulation of MHC class II molecules, (iii) inhibition of IL-2 mRNA expression and protein secretion by T lymphocytes. These results indicate that the presence of IL-10 in AIDS patients, due to the progression of disease, could represent a pivotal problem contributing to augment the pathogenic effect of C. neoformans. |
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Keywords: | IL-10 Cryptococcus neoformans monocytes |
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