Increased gamma delta T cells in acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
The T cell receptor of gamma delta is normally expressed on a small percentage of peripheral lymphocytes. Although the role of gamma delta T cells in the physiologic immune response is still unknown, there is accumulating evidence that gamma delta T cells may participate in the immune response to mycobacterial and other infectious organisms. In this study, we have quantitated the number of circulating gamma delta T cells during acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The results indicate that gamma delta T cells are elevated during the acute infection and remain elevated for at least 4 weeks during convalescence. T cells may participate in the immune response against P. falciparum by functioning as non-MHC restricted cytotoxic cells against intraerythrocytic parasites. Alternatively, lymphokines may be produced on antigen stimulation which may have antiparasitic activity.
Ho
M
M
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Webster
H K
HK
Tongtawe
P
P
Pattanapanyasat
K
K
Weidanz
W P
WP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta