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. 2014 Jul 10;8(7):e2914. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002914

Figure 1. Overview of cellular responses during an asymptomatic L. donovani infection.

Figure 1

Infected macrophages can produce TNF and IL-1β in response to L. donovani infection as part of the innate immune response. However, DC IL-12 production in response to L. donovani infection is required to drive the differentiation of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells into IFNγ- and TNF-producing Th1 cells. These cells can activate infected macrophages and monocytes to produce ROI and RNI that kill intracellular parasites. There are also reports in humans that Th17 and Th22 cells develop in asymptomatic, infected individuals, possibly driven by IL-23 and IL-6. However, the antiparasitic mechanism mediated by these CD4+ T cell subsets following L. donovani infection remains unknown. Although parasite-specific antibodies are readily detected in asymptomatic individuals, their role, if any, in control of infection and protection against reinfection is unknown. Abbreviations: MO, monocyte; Mφ, macrophage.