Interleukin-15 increases Paracoccidioides brasiliensis killing by human neutrophils.

Interleukin-15 is a cytokine produced by a wide range of different cell types, including macrophages, in response to lipopolysaccharide or microbial infection. This cytokine may play a crucial role in the activation of phagocytic cells against pathogens, especially during innate immune response. The effects of IL-15 on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte fungicidal activity against a highly virulent Paracoccidioides brasiliensis strain were investigated.

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits Paracoccidioides brasiliensis killing by human monocytes.

Human monocytes lacked fungicidal activity against high virulence strain of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, even after IFN-gamma activation. However, monocytes treated with indomethacin exhibited an effective killing against this fungus, suggesting a role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the inhibition process. Thus, the purpose of this work was to determine whether the effect of PGE2 in fungicidal activity was related with decrease on H(2)O(2) release, the metabolite involved in P.

Prostaglandin E(2) production by high and low virulent strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The production of prostaglandins (PGs) during fungal infections could be an important suppressor factor of host immune response. Host cells are one source of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)); however another potential source of PGE(2) is the fungal pathogen itself. Thus, both host and fungal PGE2 production is theorized to play a role in pathogenesis, being critical for growth of the fungus and to modulate the host immune response.

Effect of interleukin-10 on the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis killing by gamma-interferon activated human neutrophils.

Paracoccidioidomycosis, a deep mycosis endemic in Latin America, is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Phagocytic cells play a critical role against this fungus, and several studies have shown the effects of activator and suppressive cytokines on macrophage and monocyte functions. However, studies on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), that are the first cells recruited to the infection sites, are scarcer.