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Revista Colombia Médica
Universidad del Valle - Facultad de Salud
ISSN: 0120-8322 EISSN: 1657-9534
Vol. 41, Num. 4, 2010, pp. 323-327
Age-related cytokine profile in uncomplicated Plasmodium malaria infection

Colombia Médica, Vol. 41, No. 4, October-December, 2010, pp. 304-305

Age-related cytokine profile in uncomplicated Plasmodium malaria infection

Perfil de citoquina relacionado con la edad en la infección no complicada de malaria

Youtchou Mirabeau Tatfeng, PhD1, Dennis Edo Agbonlahor, PhD2

1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. e-mail: youtchou@yahoo.com
2Lahor Research Laboratory, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. e-mail: deagbonlahor@yahoo.com

Received for publication October 22, 2009
Accepted for publication April 29, 2010

Code Number: rc10046

SUMMARY

Objective: Malaria infection is severe in children who are believed to be more at risk because of their relative poor immunity against the disease. Some cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) of children, adolescents, and adults were assessed in this study.
Methods: Cytokine levels were assayed by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Malaria diagnosis and blood parameters were carried out by using standard parasitological and haematological techniques.
Results : The mean cytokine levels were significantly elevated in children, adolescent, and adult subjects when compared to their respective healthy controls (p<0.05). Also, mean IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were significantly higher in children than in adults (IFN-γ: 57.31±77.79 pg/ml vs. 20.37± 2.95 pg/ml, and IL-2: 108.75±63.53 pg/ml vs. 66.09±45.34 pg/ml) (p<0.05) and adolescents (IFN-γ: 20.37± 2.95 pg/ml and IL-2: 66.09±45.34 pg/ml) respectively. Furthermore, mean IL-10 level was significantly lower in children (7.39±15.08 pg/ml) than mean level in adults (22.73±13.89 pg/ml). The mean haematological parameters revealed significant increase in total white blood cell, CD4, and CD8 count and significant decrease in the hematocrit of children in relation to adolescent and adult subjects (p<0.05). However, mean monocyte count was significantly higher in subjects than in their respective healthy controls (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Findings in this study revealed better Th1 driven immune response in children than in adolescents and adults.

Keywords: Cytokine; Children; Adolescents; Adults;  Falciparum malaria.

RESUMEN

Objetivo: La infección por malaria es grave en los niños debido a su relativa baja inmunidad contra la enfermedad. Se evaluaron en este estudio algunos niveles de citoquinas (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 e IL-10) en niños, adolescentes y adultos.
Métodos: Se analizaron los niveles de citocinas mediante ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (ELISA). El diagnóstico de malaria y sanguíneas se llevó a cabo utilizando las técnicas parasitológicas y hematológicas.
Resultados: Los niveles de citoquinas eran significativamente elevados en los niños, adolescentes y adultos en comparación con sus respectivos controles sanos (p<0.05). Además, la media de IFN-γ y los niveles de IL-2 fueron significativamente mayores en niños que en adultos (IFN-γ: 57.31 ± 77.79 pg/ml vs. 20.37 ± 2.95 pg/ml e IL-2: 108.75 ± 63.53 pg/ml vs. 66.09 ± 45.34 pg/ml) (p<0,05) y adolescentes (IFN-γ: 20.37 ± 2.95 pg/ml e IL-2: 66.09 ± 45.34 pg/ml). Por otra parte, la media de IL-10 fue significativamente menor en los niños (7.39 ± 15.08 pg/ml) que en nivel medio en los adultos (22.73 ± 13.89 pg/ml). La media de los parámetros hematológicos reveló un aumento significativo en la celda total de color blanco, CD4, CD8 y disminución significativa en el hematocrito de los niños en relación con los adolescentes y los adultos (p<0.05). No obstante, el número promedio de monocitos fue significativamente mayor en los sujetos que en sus respectivos controles sanos (p<0.05).
Conclusión: Los hallazgos en este estudio revelaron una mejor respuesta inmune Th1 en niños que en adolescentes y adultos.

Palabras clave: Citoquinas; Niños; Adolescentes; Adultos; P. falciparum.

One of the difficulties hindering the design of successful vaccine development against Plasmodium is our current incomplete knowledge of protective immunity and how it can be induced. Moreover, the pathogenesis of two of the most severe complications of P. falciparum malaria, cerebral malaria (CM), and severe malarial anemia (SA) appear to involve dysregulation of the immune system1. Considerable effort has been devoted to the study of the characteristics of immune responses against Plasmodium spp. Of course, much of our knowledge is based on murine experimental models. First, there is wide agreement that both cell-mediated and antibody-dependent immunity are required for adequate protection, likely encompassing different mechanisms finely tuned in time2. Besides, innate immunity is thought to play a crucial role in clearing Plasmodium from parasitized hosts. Most of the elimination occurs in the spleen under normal circumstances, although the liver has been shown to function as an alternative clearing site3. The pathogenesis of malaria is complex and most likely entails immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms1. In general, it is now accepted that severe malaria is the consequence of alterations in many tissues and organs. These dysfunctions often lead to metabolic acidosis and localized ischemia. In this section, we focus on the involvement of cytokines in the immunologic mechanisms. It is evident that parasite factors can contribute to the severity of disease, as it is clear from their ability to infect a high percentage of erythrocytes4 or to induce production of proinflammatory cytokines. In particular, much evidence has been accumulated pointing to glycosylphosphatidylinositols from Plasmodium as important pathogenic factors given their ability to induce TNF-α and IL-15. This view is strongly supported by the fact that the toxicity of malarial parasite extracts can be neutralized with monoclonal antibodies against this moiety in experimental models6. It is noteworthy that recent work suggests that the presence of anti-glycosylphosphatidylinositol antibodies in patient serum may provide protection against clinical symptoms of malaria7. Therefore, cytokines, viewed as potential pathogenic elements, can contribute either directly or indirectly to many pathological processes8. Of these, control of CM and SA are critical for patient care. Although both P. falciparum and P. vivax can cause SA, only P. falciparum causes the many complications associated with CM8. This study aims to determine the pattern of cytokine production in relation to age of subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design. A total of 187 venous blood samples from subjects (71 children aged less than 1-10 years, 60 adolescents aged 11-18 years, and 56 adults aged above 18 years), as well as 121 healthy controls who were slide negative (45 children aged 0-10 years, 37 adolescents aged 11-18 years, and 39 adults aged above 18 years) who presented symptoms of uncomplicated malaria (i.e. temperature below or equal to 39°C, bitterness of mouth, joint pains, and lack of nervous system involvement) were collected for this study. Benin City is a cosmopolitan town located in the south-south region of Nigeria where malaria infection is endemic. Informed consent was obtained from the patients before blood samples were collected for analysis.

Malaria parasite screening. Thick blood films were made and stained with Giemsa stain. The slides were examined for characteristic features of malaria parasites as described by Cheesbrough9.

Cytokine assay. Serum cytokine levels (IFN--γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) were assayed by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA or EIA)10 reagents from MABTECH Inc. Company, Sweden.

CD4/CD8 Count. CD4 and CD8 counts were estimated by using the Dynabeads T4 -T8 Quantification Protocol (Dynal Biotech ASA, Oslo, Norway) described by the manufacturer.

Other haematological parameters. The Swelab Automatic Counter (Boule Medical Stockholm, Sweden) was used to assess the haematological parameters of the subjects and controls (packed cell volume, differential white blood cells and total white blood cells).

Statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. P values are considered significant when p<0.05.

RESULTS

The mean cytokine levels were significantly elevated in children, adolescents, and adults when compared to their respective healthy controls (p<0.05). On the other hand, mean IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were significantly higher in children than in adults (IFN-γ: 57.31±77.79 pg/ml vs. 20.37± 2.95 pg/ml and IL-2: 108.75±63.53 pg/ml vs. 66.09±45.34 pg/ml) (p<0.05). No significant difference was shown between cytokine levels under study in adolescents and those of children and adults, respectively (p>0.05). Furthermore, mean IL-10 level was significantly lower in children (7.39±15.08 pg/ml) than the mean level in adults (22.73±13.89 pg/ml).

The mean haematological parameters revealed a significant increase in total white blood cell, CD4, CD8 count and significant decrease in the packed cell volume of child subjects in relation to adolescent and adult subjects (p<0.05). No significant difference was obtained among subjects when mean differential cell count was considered; however, mean monocyte count was significantly higher in subjects than in their respective healthy controls (p<0.05) (Table 1).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The pathogenesis of malaria is complex and most likely entails immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms11. Cytokine imbalance has been incriminated in the complications observed in malaria infection, mostly in children for whom malaria is sometimes severe and fatal. Findings from this study revealed highly elevated levels of cytokine in subjects against their respective healthy controls. This depicts the ability of the human system to mount an effective response against malaria antigens. Further, more proinflammatory cytokine levels were higher in child subjects than their adolescent and adult counterparts. Several reports have it that these cytokines contribute in inhibiting malaria parasite replication; however, anti inflammatory response must be adequately produced to curb the activities of proinflammatory cytokine. An imbalance of this process may lead the immune system into an overdrive in its attempts to kill the parasites, and acute febrile symptoms and severe malaria can result12. Children, who are yet to develop this immunity, are, thus, at greater risk of clinical malaria, severe disease, and death than adults. Although this seems quite straightforward, it is likely to be an oversimplified view. Cerebral malaria, a common and particularly dangerous manifestation of severe malaria typically occurs in children who have already acquired a significant degree of antimalarial immunity. One potential explanation for this is that cerebral malaria is in part mediated or caused by the human immune system: the first infection ‘primes’ the system and re-infection leads to an overwhelming, damaging response12.

Additionally, IL-10 was significantly higher in adults than in children (p<0.05). Interleukin 10 has been reported in the plasma of patients with acute malaria13. Interleukin -10 is produced by monocytes, Th2 cells, and B cells. It inhibits cytokine production in Th1 and CD8+ cells, but not in Th2 cells. Nevertheless, interleukin -10 does not affect the proliferation of Th1 and CD8+ cells, but induces B-cell proliferation, and immunoglobulin production, essential for the development and maturation of antimalarial antibodies. Interleukin- 10 seems to have an important role in defining the T helper cell response to malaria. Moreover, interleukin- 10 down regulates MHC class II molecules on macrophages, leading to decreased antigen presentation14, inhibits ROI and NOI production, prevents T cell priming and proliferation, and suppresses the production of interferon, interleukin 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and GM-CSF by T cells. The inhibition of IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion by IL-10 synthesis has been reported important to counteract the pathological role of macrophages in cerebral malaria15. A study of malaria-infected children and adults in Gabon recorded many IL-10-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells co-expressing interferon. These cells may provide a fertile ground for parasite-driven immune modulation. It was shown that the increase of IL-10 is more pronounced and more specific than IL- 6 and interleukin 8 in patients with malaria parasitaemia compared to other infections16. However, it is not yet clear whether the increased concentrations of interleukin -10 have a beneficial role by reducing the parasite-induced inflammatory response, or a detrimental one by decreasing the cellular immune responses. Nevertheless, it has been shown that severe anaemia is associated with reduced concentrations of circulating interleukin and an increased ratio between TNF-α and interleukin -10 contributes to the reversible bone-marrow suppression seen in malaria patients17. Furthermore, a prominent role in switching from Th1 to Th2 responses is attributed to IL-10; therefore, it is probably involved in controlling the adequate timing of antiparasitic responses. Early IL-10 production has been associated with susceptibility to infection18, and it is thought that this cytokine has a prominent anti-inflammatory effect, somehow limiting the damage inflicted on normal tissues by excessive Th1 response. Haematological indices showed a higher total white blood cell count in child subjects with an elevated differential monocyte count, which obviously indicates an attempt by the human system to combat the foreign malaria antigens.

In conclusion, in the past years, many studies concentrated on the role of cytokines in the pathophysiology and protection against malaria fever. First, both type 1 and type 2 cytokines are required for adequate protection, likely encompassing different mechanisms finely tuned in time and intensity. Type 1 cytokines are important in controlling early parasitaemia, although they need to be counterbalanced later in the infection by a type-2 response, which leads to antibody production. Second, pathogenesis of malaria is a complex process in which a common outcome might be reached by different routes19. However, this study shows a Th1-driven response in children.

Conflict of interest. None of the authors has conflicts of interest related to this study.

REFERENCES

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