Leishmania major: secreted antigens of Leishmania major promastigotes shift the immune response of the C57BL/6 mice toward Th2 in vitro.

BALB/c mice are sensitive to Leishmaniamajor infection, while C57BL/6 mice are resistant and able to mount an effective immune response against the parasite. Since the secreted antigens of L. major suppress the proliferation of BALB/c mice lymphocytes in vitro, we analyzed their effects on the immune system of resistant C57BL/6 mice. Secreted antigens were semi-purified and two fractions with immunosuppressive activity were isolated. 15 μg/ml of fraction could suppress 60% of lymphocyte proliferation and prevent the stimulated lymphocytes entering from G1 phase into the S phase of the cell cycle. These fractions decreased the production of IFN-γ, increased IL-4 level in the lymphocyte culture and down-regulated the nitric oxide production by activated macrophages. These results may suggest that L. major parasite by secreting immunosuppressive factors could down-regulate the immune system of both sensitive and resistant mice for own survival advantage.