Status of IL‐4 and IL‐10 driven markers in experimental models of Visceral Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Aim Leishmania donovani, the causative agent for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), modulates host monocytes/macrophages to ensure its survival. However, knowledge regarding the host-parasite interactions underpinning the disease remains limited. As disease progression is associated with polarization of monocytes/macrophages towards M2, which is regulated by cytokines IL-4/IL-13 and IL-10, this study evaluated the status of key IL-4- and IL-10 driven markers in experimental models of VL, as also evaluated their correlation, if any, with parasite load. Methods In liver and splenic tissues from L donovani–infected hamsters and BALB/c mice, the parasite burden was determined along with mRNA expression of IL-4–driven markers, that is CD206, Arginase-I, CCL17, CCL22, PPAR-γ, STAT6, KLF4, FIZZ1 and YM1 along with IL-10–driven markers, CXCL13, IL-10, TGF-β, VDR, CCR2 and CYP27A1. Results The mRNA expression of IL-4- and IL-10–driven markers was enhanced in both models, but only in the hamster model, the splenic tissues demonstrated a positive correlation between all the IL-10–driven markers and parasite load. Conclusions Contrary to human VL, both models demonstrated an increased expression of IL-4- and IL-10–driven markers.