Role of interleukin-10 in malaria: focusing on coinfection with lethal and nonlethal murine malaria parasites

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011:2011:383962. doi: 10.1155/2011/383962. Epub 2011 Nov 13.

Abstract

Interleukin- (IL-) 10, anti-inflammatory cytokine, is known to inhibit the protective immune responses against malaria parasites and to be involved in exacerbating parasitemia during Plasmodium infection. In contrast, IL-10 is regarded as necessary for suppressing severe pathology during Plasmodium infection. Here, we summarize the role of IL-10 during murine malaria infection, focusing especially on coinfection with lethal and nonlethal strains of malaria parasites. Recent studies have demonstrated that the major sources of IL-10 are subpopulations of CD4+ T cells in humans and mice infected with Plasmodium. We also discuss the influence of innate immunity on the induction of CD4+ T cells during murine malaria coinfection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology*
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Malaria / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Parasitemia / immunology
  • Plasmodium / immunology*

Substances

  • IL10 protein, human
  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-10