Type I Interferons and Malaria: A Double-Edge Sword Against a Complex Parasitic Disease.

ABSTRACT: Type I interferons (IFN-Is) are important cytokines playing critical roles in various infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Studies have also shown that IFN-Is exhibit 'conflicting' roles in malaria parasite infections. Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle with multiple developing stages in two hosts. Both the liver and blood stages of malaria parasites in a vertebrate host stimulate IFN-I responses. IFN-Is have been shown to inhibit liver and blood stage development, to suppress T cell activation and adaptive immune response, and to promote production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in animal models. Different parasite species or strains trigger distinct IFN-I responses. For example, a Plasmodium yoelii strain can stimulate a strong IFN-I response during e

SUBMITTER: He X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7738626 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature