Malaria impairs T cell clustering and immune priming despite normal signal 1 from dendritic cells

Millington, O.R., Gibson, V.B., Rush, C.M., Zinselmeyer, B.H., Phillips, R.S., Garside, P. and Brewer, J.M. (2007) Malaria impairs T cell clustering and immune priming despite normal signal 1 from dendritic cells. PLoS Pathogens, 3(10), e143. (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030143)

Abstract

Interactions between antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells are essential for the induction of an immune response. However, during malaria infection, DC function is compromised and immune responses against parasite and heterologous antigens are reduced. Here, we demonstrate that malaria infection or the parasite pigment hemozoin inhibits T cell and DC interactions both in vitro and in vivo, while signal 1 intensity remains unaltered. This altered cellular behaviour is associated with the suppression of DC costimulatory activity and functional T cell responses, potentially explaining why immunity is reduced during malaria infection.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rush, Dr Catherine and Brewer, Professor James and Garside, Professor Paul and Phillips, Professor Stephen and Zinselmeyer, Mr Bernd
• Authors: Millington, O.R., Gibson, V.B., Rush, C.M., Zinselmeyer, B.H., Phillips, R.S., Garside, P., and Brewer, J.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: PLoS Pathogens
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1553-7366
• ISSN (Online): 1553-7374
• Published Online: 12 October 2007
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 The Authors
• First Published: First published in PLoS Pathogens 3(10):e143
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher