Elevated IL-17 levels in semi-immune anaemic mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA

Abstract

BackgroundAlterations in inflammatory cytokines and genetic background of the host contribute to the outcome of malaria infection. Despite the promising protective role of IL-17 in infections, little attention is given to further understand its importance in the pathogenesis of severe malaria anaemia in chronic/endemic situations. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate IL-17 levels in anaemic condition and its association with host genetic factors.MethodsTwo mice strains (Balb/c and CBA) were crossed to get the F1 progeny, and were (F1, Balb/c, CBA) taken through 6 cycles of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) infection and chloroquine/pyrimethamine treatment to generate semi-immune status. Cytokine levels and kinetics of antibody production, CD4+CD25+T regulatory cells were evaluated by bead-based multiplex assay kit, ELISA and FACs, respectively.ResultsHigh survival with high Hb loss at significantly low parasitaemia was observed in Balb/c and F1. Furthermore, IgG levels were two times higher in Balb/c, F1 than CBA. While CD4+CD25+ Treg cells were lower in CBA; IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-12α and IL-17 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Balb/c, F1.ConclusionsIn conclusion, elevated IL-17 levels together with high IL-4, IL-12α and IFN-γ levels may be a marker of protection, and the mechanism may be controlled by host factor (s). Further studies of F2 between the F1 and Balb/c will be informative in evaluating if these genes are segregated or further apart.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2257-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of placental malaria on maternal, placental and foetal cord responses and its role in pregnancy outcomes in women from Blue Nile State, Sudan

“…It has been suggested that both cytokines provide protection against infection [15]. Furthermore, elevated levels of IL-17 with high levels of IL-4, IL-12 and IFNγ were associated with hemoglobin loss in malaria recovered semi-immune mice [41]. Fitri et al [42] reported that an imbalance between IL-17 and IL-10 caused low foetal weight in P. berghei infection in mice.…”

Impact of placental malaria on maternal, placental and foetal cord responses and its role in pregnancy outcomes in women from Blue Nile State, Sudan

“…It has been suggested that both cytokines provide protection against infection [15]. Furthermore, elevated levels of IL-17 with high levels of IL-4, IL-12 and IFNγ were associated with haemoglobin loss in malaria recovered semi-immune mice [41]. Fitri et al [42] reported that an imbalance between IL-17 and IL-10 caused low fetal weight in Plasmodium berghei infection in mice.…”

Early suppression of B cell immune responses by low doses of chloroquine and pyrimethamine: implications for studying immunity in malaria

“…Inadequate B cell memory recall and Plasmodium immunomodulation of host responses are likely involved (reviewed in Frosch and John 2012 ). When studying Plasmodium , well-established malaria mouse infection models are often utilised to investigate pathogenesis, immunomodulation, anaemia, liver-stage infections and blood-stage infections (Helegbe et al 2018 ; Lau et al 2014 ; Ryg-Cornejo et al 2016b ). To do this, administration of low doses (10 mg/kg each) of chloroquine (CQ) and pyrimethamine (Pyr) are crucial to prevent the progression of disease and effectively clear the infection in these mice (Schofield et al 2017 ).…”