Cytokines and T-cell response in malaria.
The intracellular protozoan Plasmodium sp induces a complex immune response which sometimes implies serious pathological effects for the host. According to in vitro studies and epidemiological surveys, several effector mechanisms are displayed against plasmodial blood stages and a large interaction between humoral and cell-mediated immunity is presumed to occur among protected individuals. The key role of T cells in the antiplasmodial immune response is now well established, but all the regulatory heterogenous mechanisms are not yet fully known. An increasing body of data shows a dual role during malaria attack for some cytokines released by monocytes and macrophages (TNF, IL-1, IL-6) or by T cells (IFN-gamma, lymphotoxin (LT), IL-4). The importance of some plasmodial proteins in the cytokine-induced pathology and the stimulation of a preferential TH1 or TH2 mediated immune response to achieve protective immunity against Plasmodium sp are discussed.
Cruz Cubas
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AB
Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Tropicales et Santé Publique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Gentilini
M
M
Monjour
L
L
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines