CD8+ T Cells in Leishmania Infections: Friends or Foes?

Authors :: Simona Stäger
Sima Rafati
Institut Armand Frappier (INRS-IAF)
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique [Québec] (INRS)-Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)
Institut Pasteur d'Iran
Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)
This work was funded by the startup funds from the INRS- IAF to SS, and the National Science Foundation of Iran (grant no.87020176)
Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)-Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique [Québec] (INRS)
Source :: Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol 3 (2012), Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers, 2012, 3, pp.5. ⟨10.3389/fimmu.2012.00005⟩
Publication Year :: 2012
Publisher :: Frontiers Media SA, 2012.
Abstract: International audience; Host protection against several intracellular pathogens requires the induction of CD8(+) T cell responses. CD8(+) T cells are potent effector cells that can produce high amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and kill infected target cells efficiently. However, a protective role for CD8(+) T cells during Leishmania infections is still controversial and largely depends on the infection model. In this review, we discuss the role of CD8(+) T cells during various types of Leishmania infections, following vaccination, and as potential immunotherapeutic targets.