ISSN:
1574-6968
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Haemozoin, the malaria pigment, regulates the synthesis of several host cytokines and has been found to be associated with the disease severity. Here we describe that malarial patients produce a significant amount of anti-haemozoin IgM antibodies. Levels of these antibodies were higher among the complicated Plasmodium falciparum cases compared to the non-complicated P. falciparum group and Plasmodium vivax patients. The P. falciparum haemozoin also induced the synthesis of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by the monocytes of the healthy individuals, but the production of these cytokines by the monocytes was inhibited in the presence of the anti-haemozoin IgM antibodies. Therefore, it seems that the host produces these antibodies (mainly IgM types) during malarial infection that can influence the progression of the disease by inhibiting the production of cytokines.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb09465.x
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