ABSTRACT
The inflammasome is a multiprotein signalling platform involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory skin diseases. Herein, we investigated gene and protein expression of the inflammasome molecules AIM2 and NLRP3 in active lesions from patients with L. (V.) braziliensis-associated tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and correlated these findings with the clinical presentations and responses to therapy. Real-time PCR assays showed a significantly higher AIM2 gene expression in mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) compared with that in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Additionally, AIM2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in lesions from poor responders than in lesions from good responders. In situ protein quantification analyses revealed greater AIM2 expression in ML lesions than in CL lesions. The percentage of AIM2-producing cells was higher in poor responders than in good responders. Although not quite significant, IL-1ß+ cells were slightly more prominent in poor responders than in good responders. Similar results were observed when patients were evaluated according to clinical form. GP63 immunostaining was identified in all samples, but no significant variation between mucosal and cutaneous lesions was observed. GP63 could be associated with reduced NLRP3 inflammasome expression in CL and ML patients. Taken together, these data demonstrate that AIM2 is an important component of the inflammasome in TL patients and is directly associated with the severity of lesions.
Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Inflammasomes , Leishmania braziliensis/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology , Adult , Animals , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Female , Glucosamine/analogs & derivatives , Glucosamine/therapeutic use , Humans , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/drug therapy , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology , Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/drug therapy , Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/parasitology , Male , Metalloendopeptidases/genetics , Metalloendopeptidases/metabolism , Middle Aged , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
An adult female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) had a mass on the plantar surface of the right forelimb that was removed surgically. Microscopical examination revealed many spindle cells with mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and a surrounding collagenous stroma. There were no mitoses. Immunohistochemistry showed that the spindle cells expressed vimentin, but not desmin. A diagnosis of cutaneous fibroma was made. Tumours are reported uncommonly in chelonian species. Cutaneous fibroma has been diagnosed in an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), but not previously in a common snapping turtle.
