Unveiling the Interplay Between Dendritic Cells and Natural Killer Cells as Key Players in <i>Leishmania</i> Infection.

ABSTRACT: Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic diseases whose etiological agent is the protozoa Leishmania. These diseases afflict impoverished populations in tropical and subtropical regions and affect wild and domestic animals. Canine leishmaniasis is a global disease mostly caused by L. infantum. Dogs are recognized as a good reservoir since harbor the infection long before developing the disease, facilitating parasite transmission. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that dogs may also be the reservoir of the American Leishmania spp. as L. amazonensis. The innate immune response is the first defense line against pathogens, which includes natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DCs). By recognizing and ultimately destroying infected cells, and by secreting immune

SUBMITTER: Valerio-Bolas A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11832263 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature