Lymphocyte suppression in leprosy induced by unique M. leprae glycolipid

摘要: Leprosy remains a significant medical and social problem in many developing countries. The varied forms of the disease form spectrum1. At one pole, tuberculoid leprosy, patients develop high levels cell-mediated immunity which results killing clearing bacilli tissues. lepromatous exhibit selective immunological unresponsiveness to antigens Mycobacterium leprae so that organisms inexorably multiply skin. We have suggested leprosy or small number unique antigenic determinants present on M. might induce specific suppressor cells inhibit reactivity helper T-cell clones capable recognizing other cross reactive determinants2. Although epitopes been identified by monoclonal antibodies proteins3, only species antigen leprae, not any mycobacteria far examined, is phenolic glycolipid (gly-I)4. show here this inducing suppression mitogenic responses patients' lymphocytes vitro provide evidence T recognize terminal trisaccharide moiety.