In situ expression of interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 in active human cutaneous leishmaniasis

Th1-type cellular immune responses (interferon-γ) play a critical role in protection against Leishmania spp. infection, whereas Th2-type cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10) have a counter-protective effect. IL-12, a potent inducer of Th1-type cellular immune responses, may play a pivotal role in the development of a protective response. We found that IL-10 and IL-12 mRNAs were expressed in most lesions of individuals with active cutaneous leishmaniasis. The quantity of IL-12 mRNA was highly variable but correlated strongly with the level of interferon-γ expression. IL-12 expression also paralleled the expression of IL-10, a potent in vitro suppressor of IL-12 and interferon-γ production. The more chronic, non-healing lesions generally had higher levels of IL-12 mRNA indicating that the expression of this cytokine alone was not sufficient to induce healing. Although the in situ production of IL-10 did not appear to block IL-12 expression, IL-10 may still promote disease by direct suppression of macrophage activation.