Cytokine

Texto completo: acesso restrito. p.1228–1231Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is characterized by the absence of cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-12. Cure of VL is associated with a restoration of the ability to make these cytokines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of IL-12 in the recovery of the ability to produce IFN-γ and to test whether or not IL-4 IL-10 and/or TGF-β could suppress IFN-γ production by PBMC from treated VL patients. High stimulation index (SI) of proliferation was observed in PBMC from subjects stimulated with Leishmania chagasi antigen (181±83). Neutralizing IL-12 inhibited lymphoproliferation [stimulation index (SI) of 210±114 to 1±0.6 (P<0.01)] and/or the production of IFN-γ [2792±402 pg/ml to 407±449 pg/ml (P