Absolute levels and ratios of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in vitro predict clinical immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Dodoo, D;
Omer, FM;
Todd, J;
Akanmori, BD;
Koram, KA;
Riley, EM;
(2002)
Absolute levels and ratios of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in vitro predict clinical immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
The Journal of infectious diseases, 185 (7).
pp. 971-979.
ISSN 0022-1899
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/339408
Permanent Identifier
Use this Digital Object Identifier when citing or linking to this resource.
The relationship between malaria-related outcomes and cytokine production in whole blood cultures associated with cellular immune responses and immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria was examined in a study in southern Ghana. Production of malaria-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma was associated with reduced risk of fever and clinical malaria. Protective IFN-gamma responses were induced by live schizonts but not by dead parasites. Production of malaria-specific tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was associated with reduced risk of fever during follow-up. Baseline levels of TNF-alpha and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced interleukin (IL)-10 were positively associated with hemoglobin concentration. IL-12 production was associated with reduced risk of parasitemia. PHA-induced transforming growth factor-beta production was associated with reduced risk of fever during follow-up. High ratios of proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines were associated with increased risk of fever and higher hemoglobin concentrations. Thus, absolute levels and ratios of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines influence susceptibility to infection, clinical disease, and anemia. These data contradict data from cross-sectional clinical studies and indicate a need for detailed analysis of the relationship between cellular immunity to malaria and resistance to disease.
