Potential Use of Interleukin-10 Blockade as a Therapeutic Strategy in Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Abstract EN

Interleukin-10 overproduction has been associated with worse prognosis in human cutaneous leishmaniasis, while IFN-γ-dependent responses are associated with parasite killing and host protection.

Innovative strategies are needed to overcome therapeutic failure observed in endemic areas.

The use of monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy targeting IL-10 cytokine was evaluated here.

Partial IL-10 blockade in Leishmania braziliensis whole soluble antigen-stimulated cells from endemic area CL patients with active or healed lesions and asymptomatic controls was evaluated.

Overall decrease in IL-10, IL-4, and TNF-α production was observed in all groups of subjects.

Only patients with active lesions still produced some levels of TNF-α after anti-IL-10 stimulation in association with Leishmania antigens.

Moreover, this strategy showed limited modulatory effects on IFN-γ-dependent chemokine CXCL10 production.

Results suggest the potential immunotherapeutic use of partial IL-10 blockade in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis.