New Therapeutic Tools to Shape Monocyte Functional Phenotypes in Leishmaniasis

Abstract

In the innate immunity to Leishmania infection tissue-resident macrophages and inflammatory monocytes accumulate host-cell, effector, and efferocytosis functions. In addition, neutrophils, as host, effector, and apoptotic cells, as well as tissue-resident and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) imprint innate and adaptive immunity to Leishmania parasites. Macrophages develop phenotypes ranging from antimicrobial M1 to parasite-permissive M2, depending on mouse strain, Leishmania species, and T-cell cytokines. The Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines, which induce classically-activated (M1) or alternatively-activated (M2) macrophages, underlie resistance versus susceptibility to leishmaniasis. While macrophage phenotypes have been well discussed, new developments addressed the monocyte functional phenotypes in Leishmania infection. Here, we will emphasize the role of inflammatory monocytes to access how potential host-directed therapies for leishmaniasis, such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and the ligand of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (RANKL) might modulate immunity to Leishmania infection, by directly targeting monocytes to develop M1 or M2 phenotypes.

Keywords: ATRA; Leishmania major; M1 and M2 macrophages; RANKL; monocytes; nitric oxide.

Figure 1

A simplified schematic view of monocyte plasticity as a therapeutic target in Leishmania infection. BMDMS and inflammatory monocytes develop into M1, intermediate (not represented) or M2 macrophages depending on environmental stimuli, such as cytokines (IFN-γ or IL-4) and microbial (LPS) or parasite products. L. braziliensis (LB) and L. major (LM) parasites might differ in their ability to provide stimulus for monocyte activation and differentiation into M1 or M2 macrophages. Potential therapeutic tools, such as RANKL and ATRA have opposing effects on functional phenotypes, by inducing M1 or M2 macrophages, which express a distinct set of skills and play a key role in infection, inflammatory disease, and tissue repair.