Decoding the Role of Skin Cells in Early Immune Response to Leishmania Infection

This research focuses on understanding how the body responds to infection by Leishmania parasites, specifically how it recruits neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, to the skin.

The researchers identified that a protein called TLR2, found in skin cells, plays a crucial role in this process. 

Industry application

This research was conducted in the field of biomedical science, specifically focusing on infectious diseases and immunology.

The study found that the Leishmania parasites trigger TLR2 in skin cells, leading to the release of chemicals that attract neutrophils to the site of infection.

Interestingly, the absence of TLR2 resulted in better control of the disease, as evidenced by smaller lesion sizes and lower parasite loads. However, when the early presence of neutrophils was artificially restored in these TLR2-lacking mice, disease resolution was delayed, similar to what is observed in normal mice. 

Ronet C, Passelli K, Charmoy M, Scarpellino L, Myburgh E, La Torre YH, et al. TLR2 Signaling in Skin Nonhematopoietic Cells Induces Early Neutrophil Recruitment in Response to Leishmania major Infection. J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(6):1318-28. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.12.012