Type I Interferon in Malaria: A Balancing Act

Trends Parasitol. 2017 Apr;33(4):257-260. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.010. Epub 2017 Jan 13.

Abstract

Type I interferons (IFN-Is) can now be considered as the wedge that balances clinical protection to malaria. New studies recently highlighted a central role for IFN-Is in orchestrating an immunoregulatory network leading to the dampening of proinflammatory responses, expansion of type 1 regulatory (Tr1) cells, and restriction of humoral immunity during malaria blood stage infection. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were identified as the major source of IFN-Is. Here, we integrate the findings and provide a model for the mechanisms involved.

Keywords: IL-10; Interferon; Plasmodium; Tr1; Type I interferon; immunoregulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral / immunology*
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism*
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Interferon Type I