Reciprocal Regulation of Th1- and Th2-Cytokine-Producing T Cells during Clearance of Parasitemia in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

S Winkler, M Willheim, K Baier, D Schmid… - Infection and …, 1998 - Am Soc Microbiol
S Winkler, M Willheim, K Baier, D Schmid, A Aichelburg, W Graninger, PG Kremsner
Infection and immunity, 1998Am Soc Microbiol
Flow cytometry for the intracellular detection of T-cell cytokines was performed for 15
Gabonese patients during acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A striking
expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was found during
drug-induced clearance of parasitemia, paralleled by a decrease of interleukin-2 (IL-2)
production. The frequency of IL-4-and IL-13-producing CD4+ cells gradually decreased,
whereas the frequency of T cells producing IL-2+–IFN-γ+, IL-4−–IL-5+, and IL-4+–IL-5+ …
Abstract
Flow cytometry for the intracellular detection of T-cell cytokines was performed for 15 Gabonese patients during acute uncomplicatedPlasmodium falciparum malaria. A striking expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was found during drug-induced clearance of parasitemia, paralleled by a decrease of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The frequency of IL-4- and IL-13-producing CD4+cells gradually decreased, whereas the frequency of T cells producing IL-2+–IFN-γ+, IL-4–IL-5+, and IL-4+–IL-5+ cytokines as well as IL-4+–IFN-γ+ and IL-13+–IFN-γ+ cytokines was not significantly altered. The capacity for IL-10 production within the CD4+ subset increased due to an expansion of both IL-10+–IFN-γ and IL-10+–IFN-γ+ cytokine-expressing cells. Thus, a more pronounced Th2-driven immune response during acute untreated P. falciparum infection with a shift towards Th1 responsiveness induced by parasite clearance is suggested.
American Society for Microbiology