What have we learnt from mouse models for the study of malaria?
Malaria is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality and yet a vaccine is not available. Studies have used animal models to understand the pathogenesis of disease and a large amount of data on parasite biology, immune regulation and disease processes have been gained from these studies. Moreover, these models have been used for pre-clinical testing of various drugs and vaccines. Here, we discuss the features of various mouse models used to study the immunobiology of malaria and test pre-clinical vaccines and conclude that animal models have a role in the study of malaria but the experimental conditions used for testing must reflect the environment of infected individuals.
Wykes
Michelle N
MN
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Michelle.Wykes@qimr.edu.au
Good
Michael F
MF
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D039521:CD11c Antigen; D007376:Interleukin-2