IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF INDUCIBLE NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE AND TRANSFORMING-GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA (TGF-BETA) IN LEPROSY LESIONS

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and TGF-beta were localized by immunocytochemistry in skin lesions from patients across the leprosy s pectrum, and from patients undergoing reversal reaction. iNOS expressi on was highest at the tuberculoid pole of the spectrum, and increased during reversal reaction. TGF-beta was observed throughout the leprosy spectrum, but was highest at the lepromatous pole. Levels of TGF-beta decreased during reversal reaction. Reduced levels of TGF-beta may co ntribute to unregulated inflammatory responses during reactional episo des.