Cytokines and microbicidal molecules regulated by IL-32 in THP-1-derived human macrophages infected with New World Leishmania species

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BACKGROUND: Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is expressed in lesions of patients with American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL), but its precise role in the disease remains unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the present study, silencing and overexpression of IL-32 was performed in THP-1-derived macrophages infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis or L. (Leishmania) amazonensis to investigate the role of IL-32 in infection. We report that Leishmania species induces IL-32gamma, and show that intracellular IL-32gamma protein production is dependent on endogenous TNFalpha. Silencing or overexpression of IL-32 demonstrated that this cytokine is closely related to TNFalpha and IL-8. Remarkably, the infection index was augmented in the absence of IL-32 and decreased in cells overexpressing this cytokine. Mechanistically, these effects can be explained by nitric oxide cathelicidin and beta-defensin 2 production regulated by IL-32. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, endogenous IL-32 is a crucial cytokine involved in the host defense against Leishmania parasites.