γδ-T cells promote IFN-γ-dependent Plasmodium pathogenesis upon liver-stage infection
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a potentially fatal neurological complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum affecting mainly young children. In endemic areas, severe complications become less frequent as γδ-T cell responses decline. However, the role of γδ-T cells in CM pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that mice deficient in γδ-T cells are resistant to experimental CM development when infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA sporozoites. Importantly, we demonstrate that the presence of γδ-T cells enhanced the expression of Plasmodium immunogenic factors upon liver-stage infection and promoted subsequent blood-stage inflammatory responses. This study characterizes a critical pathogenic role of γδ-T cells in experimental CM that provides a strong rationale for their modulation toward achieving "clinical immunity" to malaria.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- May 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1814440116
- Bibcode:
- 2019PNAS..116.9979R