Cellular Immune Mechanisms in Malaria

摘要

The cell-mediated immune mechanisms responsible for human resistance to malaria need to be better understood. We have examined Thai adults naturally infected with malaria with regard to: (1) the percentages of T, B Null and Fc receptor bearing cells present during active infection; (2) the functional competence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as judged by responsiveness to mitogens and cell surface antigens; (3) the ability of serum from infected patients to supress normal lymphocyte function; and (4) the incidence and nature of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in the serum of infected patients. In summary: (1) in adult Thai patients naturally infected with malaria, there ia a real loss of circulating T lymphocytes with no teal change in B or Fc receptor bearing lymphocytes and with no loss of lymphocyte function as judged by mitogenic and antigenic stimulation; (2) in the sera of patients infected with malaria, there are both functional suppressor capabilities and lymphocytotoxic antibodies; and (3) the role of serum immuno-regulatory capabilities in modulating the immune response of infected patients may be of importance in determining the chronicity of malaria infection as well as immunologically mediated complications.