Fatal leishmaniasis in the absence of TNF despite a strong Th1 response

Induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase in mononuclear phagocytes by IFN-γ and innate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) provide the basis for an effective immune response to the intracellular parasite Leishmania (L.) major. In previous experiments, we observed a fatal visceral form of leishmaniasis in L. major-infected C57BL/6 TNF(-/-) mice. To further delineate the protective function of TNF and its receptor requirements, we comparatively assessed L. major-infected C57BL/6 mice that were either deficient for membrane and soluble TNF (Tnf - / -), for soluble TNF alone (memTnf(^Δ/Δ) ), or the TNF receptors type 1 (Tnfr1 -/ -) or type 2 (Tnfr2 - / -). We detected locally and systemically increased levels of the cytokine IFN-γ in the absence of the TNF-TNFR1-signaling pathway. An analysis of transcription factors and cytokines revealed that activated Tnf - / - CD4(+) T cells displayed a highly active Th1 phenotype with a strong usage of the T cell receptor Vβ5.1/2. From these data we conclude that the fatal outcome of L. major infection in Tnf - / - mice does not result from a skewed or deficient Th1 differentiation.