title: Effect of nutrient deficiencies on in vitro Th1 and Th2 cytokine response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to Plasmodium falciparum infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An appropriate balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines that mediate innate and adaptive immune responses is required for effective protection against human malaria and to avoid immunopathology. In malaria endemic countries, this immunological balance may be influenced by micronutrient deficiencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Tanzanian preschool children were stimulated in vitro with Plasmodium falciparum-parasitized red blood cells to determine T-cell responses to malaria under different conditions of nutrient deficiencies and malaria status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data obtained indicate that zinc deficiency is associated with an increase in TNF response by 37%; 95% CI: 14% to 118% and IFN-gamma response by 74%; 95% CI: 24% to 297%. Magnesium deficiency, on the other hand, was associated with an increase in production of IL-13 by 80%; 95% CI: 31% to 371% and a reduction in IFN-gamma production. These results reflect a shift in cytokine profile to a more type I cytokine profile and cell-cell mediated responses in zinc deficiency and a type II response in magnesium deficiency. The data also reveal a non-specific decrease in cytokine production in children due to iron deficiency anaemia that is largely associated with malaria infection status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pathological sequels of malaria potentially depend more on the balance between type I and type II cytokine responses than on absolute suppression of these cytokines and this balance may be influenced by a combination of micronutrient deficiencies and malaria status.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erasto V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Mbugi
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meijerink
authors.forename: Jacobien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veenemans
authors.forename: Prescilla V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Jeurink
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Raimos M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Olomi
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Jaffu O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Chilongola
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verhoef
authors.forename: Huub F J
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Savelkoul
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015032:Zinc