Involvement of Mycobacterium leprae in the Neurotrophic Modulation of Peripheral Nervous System

Abstract

The global prevalence of leprosy was 213,000 cases in early 2009. Of these new cases, it is estimated that 5% ofpatients show signs of motor or autonomic neuropathy at diagnosis and during treatment. Even after the cure ofthe infection, in a substantial proportion of affected individuals disabilities will persist throughout life. Thesesequelae are among the major challenges of leprosy, both clinically and scientific. The neuropathy begins withinfection by M. leprae, which has tropism for the peripheral nervous system. One of the outstanding issues in thestudy of the pathogenesis of leprosy refers precisely to the loss of the ability of Schwann cells in providingneurotrophic mediators to targeted areas, allowing the setting up of irreparable damages. The neurotrophicfactors play an important role in the development, protection, and regeneration of peripheral nervous system. Theaim of this study is evaluate the interference of M. leprae in the expression of neurotrophic mediators involved inthe maturation of Schwann cells and myelination of peripheral nerves, throughout in vitro model of myelination,based on co-cultures of neurons and Schwann cells, and in vivo evaluation by inoculation of M. leprae in sciaticnerves of nude mice.