Intraerythrocytic Killing of Malaria Parasites

摘要

The purpose of these studies was to determine the role of activated macrophages in immunity to the blood stages of malaria. This has been accomplished by comparing the activity of macrophages during lethal and non-lethal malaria infections and in malaria-resistant and non-resistant mice. The results indicate that in non-lethal P. yoelii infection of mice, macrophage activity, as determined by H2O2 release, gamma-interferon production and lymphoproliferation, is high early in infection, declines during the time of peak parasitemia and recovers as the infection is cleared. Although some macrophage functions are enhanced during the early phases of lethal P. yoelii infection, this enhancement is not sustained. Recombinant gamma-interferon, injected into mice, had a protective effect in susceptible mice with lethal infections but not in non-lethal infections. Keywords: Malaria; Immunity; Erythrocytic stage; Microphages; Gamma-interferon; RAI; Active immunity. (rh/KT)