Analysis of the expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and cytokine production during experimental Leishmania chagasi infection

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen-derived molecules and influence immunity to control parasite infections. This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of TLRs 2 and 4, the expression and production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-17, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the spleen of mice infected with Leishmania chagasi. It also aimed to evaluate any correlations between mRNA expression TLR2 and 4 and cytokines and NO production. Infection resulted in increased TLR2-4, IL-17, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta mRNA expression during early infection, with decreased expression during late infection correlating with parasite load. IFN-gamma and IL-12 mRNA expression decreased at the peak of parasitism. IL-10 mRNA expression increased throughout the entire time period analysed. Although TGF-beta, TNF-alpha and IL-17 were highly produced during the initial phase of infection, IFN-gamma and IL-12 exhibited high production during the final phase of infection. IL-10 and NO showed increased production throughout the evaluated time period. In the acute phase of infection, there was a positive correlation between TLR2-4, TNF-alpha, IL-17, NO, IL-10 and TGF-beta expression and parasite load. During the chronic phase of infection, there was a positive correlation between TLR2-4, TNF-alpha, IL-17 and TGF-beta expression and parasite load. Our data suggest that infection by L. chagasi resulted in modulation of TLRs 2 and 4 and cytokines.