Eosinophils increase macrophage ability to control intracellular Leishmania amazonensis infection via PGD2 paracrine activity in vitro

Clinical and experimental studies have described eosinophil infiltration in Leishmania amazonensis infection sites, positioning eosinophils strategically adjacent to the protozoan-infected macrophages in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, by co-culturing mouse eosinophils with L. amazonensis-infected macrophages, we studied the impact of eosinophils on macrophage ability to regulate intracellular L. amazonensis infection. Eosinophils prevented the increase in amastigote numbers within macrophages by a mechanism dependent on a paracrine activity mediated by eosinophil-derived prostaglandin (PG) D2 acting on DP2 receptors. Exogenous PGD2 mimicked eosinophilmediated effect on managing L. amazonensis intracellular infection by macrophages and therefore may function as a complementary tool for therapeutic intervention in L. amazonensis-driven cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Automated summary

The study found that eosinophils regulate intracellular L. amazonensis infection in macrophages through eosinophil-derived PGD2, preventing an increase in amastigote numbers. This may serve as a complementary therapeutic tool for managing cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. amazonensis.