Differential Regulation of l -Arginine Metabolism through Arginase 1 during Infection with Leishmania mexicana Isolates Obtained from Patients with Localized and Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Abstract

l -Arginine metabolism through arginase 1 (Arg-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) constitutes a fundamental axis for the resolution or progression of leishmaniasis. Infection with Leishmania mexicana can cause two distinct clinical manifestations: localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). In this work, we analyzed in an in vivo model the capacity of two L. mexicana isolates, one obtained from a patient with LCL and the other from a patient with DCL, to regulate the metabolism of l -arginine through Arg-1 and NOS2.