P2Y₂ Receptor Induces L. amazonensis Infection Control in a Mechanism Dependent on Caspase-1 Activation and IL-1β Secretion

Figure 5

CASP-1 activity is necessary for the protective effects of UTP during in vivo infection with L. amazonensis. (a) Schematics showing the experimental approach of in vivo experiments. WT, CASP-1,11^-/-, and CASP-1,11^-/- mice ( and 6/group) were infected with 10⁶L. amazonensis; following 7 d.p.i., we started the intralesional treatment with 1 mM UTP into the infected footpad twice a week for 3 weeks (six doses). (b–d) Swelling (thickness) was measured using a traditional Mitutoyo® caliper, and the lesion size was determined by the from the same mouse. (e–h) Animals were euthanized 26 d.p.i. when the footpad and popliteal lymph nodes were excised and used to quantify parasite load and cytokine production. (e) Parasite loads in the footpads (f) and in popliteal lymph nodes from WT and CASP 1,11^-/- mice by limiting dilution assay (LDA). (g) IL-1β and (h) IL-1α production into the footpad was measured by ELISA. Data represent values, mice per group. and in comparison to the untreated group (one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test).

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