Loss and dysfunction of Vδ2⁺ γδ T cells are associated with clinical tolerance to malaria.

ABSTRACT: Although clinical immunity to malaria eventually develops among children living in endemic settings, the underlying immunologic mechanisms are not known. The Vδ2(+) subset of γδ T cells have intrinsic reactivity to malaria antigens, can mediate killing of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites, and expand markedly in vivo after malaria infection in previously naïve hosts, but their role in mediating immunity in children repeatedly exposed to malaria is unclear. We evaluated γδ T cell responses to malaria among 4-year-old children enrolled in a longitudinal study in Uganda. We found that repeated malaria was associated with reduced percentages of Vδ2(+) γδ T cells in peripheral blood, decreased proliferation and cytokine production in response to malaria antigens, and increased expression of immu

SUBMITTER: Jagannathan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4198150 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature