Osteopontin Participates in Th1-Mediated Host Resistance against Nonlethal Malaria Parasite Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi Infection in Mice

摘要

Osteopontin (OPN) knockout mice (OPN-KO mice) died of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi infection, although wild-type (WT) mice had self-limiting infections. OPN was detected in the WT mice at 2 days postinfection. OPN-KO mice produced significantly smaller amounts of interleukin-12 and gamma interferon than WT mice produced. These results suggested that OPN is involved in Th1-mediated immunity against malaria infection.