Recovery of IFN-γ levels in PBMCs from lepromatous leprosy patients through the synergistic actions of the cytokines IL-12 and IL-18

The shift to the production of a Th1 cytokine profile during an intracellular infection has been shown to depend on antigen presenting cells-derived IL-12 and T-cell-derived IFN-γ production. IL-18 facilitates Th1 priming in synergy with IL-12 through the stimulation of IFN-γ production by T cells, B cells, NK cells, macrophages and DCs. A low level of IFN-γ production in PBMC cultures from lepromatous leprosy patients (LL) has been previously reported by several groups. We evaluated the synthesis of this cytokine after exogenous addition of recombinant IL-12 and IL-18 (IL12/IL18) in order to induce recovery of the IFN-γ levels with Mycobacterium leprae antigenic stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate if exogenous addition of IL12/IL18 to PBMC cell cultures in the presence of M. leprae antigens could induce recovery of IFN-γ levels. We found that IFN-γ levels in PBMCs cultured from LL patients were reestablished after exogenous addition of exogenous IL12/IL18 and we also observed a diminished IL-18R expression. Although the molecular mechanisms of IL12/IL18 synergy have not been clearly elucidated, we assume that recombinant cytokines can activate several transcription factors that induce IFN-γ synthesis.