Abstract
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in human blood. Upon microbial infection, they are massively and rapidly recruited from the circulation to sites of infection where they efficiently kill pathogens. To this end, neutrophils possess a variety of weapons that can be mobilized and become effective within hours following infection. However, several microbes including some Leishmania spp. have evolved a variety of mechanisms to escape neutrophil killing using these cells as a basis to better invade the host. In addition, neutrophils are also present in unhealing cutaneous lesions where their role remains to be defined. Here, we will review recent progress in the field and discuss the different strategies applied by some Leishmania parasites to escape from being killed by neutrophils and as recently described for Leishmania mexicana, even replicate within these cells. Subversion of neutrophil killing functions by Leishmania is a strategy that allows parasite spreading in the host with a consequent deleterious impact, transforming the primary protective role of neutrophils into a deleterious one.
Highlights
Survival Mechanisms Used by Some Leishmania Species to escape neutrophil KillingNeutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in human blood
L. major infection induced murine neutrophil apoptosis in the dermis [22, 34] while it delayed human blood-derived neutrophil apoptosis [22, 34, 38, 39]. These results suggest that the effect of Leishmania on neutrophil apoptosis may differ between murine and human neutrophils, or the difference observed may come from the diverse Leishmania spp. or neutrophil origins
We recently reported that L. mexicana amastigotes are internalized and survive in neutrophils in vitro
Summary
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in human blood Upon microbial infection, they are massively and rapidly recruited from the circulation to sites of infection where they efficiently kill pathogens. They are massively and rapidly recruited from the circulation to sites of infection where they efficiently kill pathogens To this end, neutrophils possess a variety of weapons that can be mobilized and become effective within hours following infection. We will review recent progress in the field and discuss the different strategies applied by some Leishmania parasites to escape from being killed by neutrophils and as recently described for Leishmania mexicana, even replicate within these cells. There are several treatments available against leishmaniasis of which pentavalent antimonials have been the standard of care for decades These drugs have many adverse effects and the emergence of drug-resistant parasites is increasing worldwide. As the increase in drug resistance renders the available therapeutics less efficient, the need of efficient vaccines and a better understanding of the diseases is crucial to fight leishmaniases [2, 3]
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