A potential role of interleukin 18 in severe falciparum malaria.
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production from Th1 cells, NK cells and activated macrophages, particularly in the presence of IL-12. However, it is also shown that without help from IL-12, IL-18 is capable of inducing IL-4 and IL-13 production in T cells, NK cells, mast cells and basophils, and that administration of IL-18 in conjunction with an allergen increases serum IgE levels. In order to clarify the role of IL-18 in disease severity of falciparum malaria, we have examined serum levels of IL-18, IFN-gamma, and IgE for 96 patients with falciparum malaria [Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 97, 236-241]. Results suggested that IL-18 plays a key role in inducing severe malaria through a pathway of elevating IFN-gamma, rather than its IgE inducing activity. Based on these results, the role of IL-18 in severe falciparum malaria will be discussed in this review.
Kojima
Somei
S
Department of Parasitology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. fnskj@diamond.manhidol.ac.th
Nagamine
Yukiko
Y
Hayano
Masashi
M
Looareesuwan
Sornchai
S
Nakanishi
Kenji
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D020382:Interleukin-18; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma