Infection by and protective immune responses against Plasmodium berghei ANKA are not affected in macrophage scavenger receptors A deficient mice.
BACKGROUND
Scavenger receptors (SRs) recognize endogenous molecules modified by pathological processes as well as components of diverse microorganisms. Mice deficient for both SR-AI and II are more susceptible to infections by a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens.


RESULTS
Here we show that SR-A deficient mice and wild type mice are equally susceptible to malaria infection both during liver and blood stages. Moreover, like wild type mice, SR-A deficient mice are able to mount a protective immune response against radiation attenuated sporozoites.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not reveal a function of SR-A I and II receptors in the Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection, both in the development of CM and parasitemia control. Moreover, these receptors appear not to be required for the establishment of a protective immune response against the malaria liver stages.
Cunha-Rodrigues
Margarida
M
Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal. margaridacunha@fm.ul.pt
Portugal
Sílvia
S
Febbraio
Maria
M
Mota
Maria M
MM
D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008288:Malaria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D034101:Sporozoites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A