Inflammasomes are important structures of our immune system in combating pathogens. Their effect on bacterial and viral pathogens are well studied, while in contrast, their effect on protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, are less studied [1]. However, research led by scientists at St. Jude Children Hospital have led to surprising revelations about resistance against Leishmaniasis. Studies were carried out on mice infected with Leishmaniasis. As part of the body's immune response, NLRP3 inflammasomes sense Leishmania parasites and produce interleukin 18 (IL-18), messenger molecules involved in the body's first line of defence against diseases. Surprisingly, inhibiting IL-18 protected specially bred mice from the most common form of Leishmaniasis instead of aggravating the disease. Scientists had expected, based on previous studies with a different mouse model of Leishmaniasis, for IL-18 to induce an immune response, resulting in production of molecules involved in protection against Leishmaniasis. However, the opposite happened, and IL-18 induced the production of interleukin 4 (IL-4), which skewed the immune response in the parasite's favour instead [2]. Thus, by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes, IL-18 production declined and the mice were resistant towards the infection. In conclusion, neutralizing IL-18 protected mice against Leishmaniasis, suggesting that the same might be able to be done for humans.
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August 2015
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