Role of Interleukin-10 in Malaria : Focusing on Coinfection with Lethal and Nonlethal Murine Malaria Parasites

Abstract EN

Interleukin- (IL-) 10, anti-inflammatory cytokine, is known to inhibit the protective immune responses against malaria parasites and to be involved in exacerbating parasitemia during Plasmodium infection.

In contrast, IL-10 is regarded as necessary for suppressing severe pathology during Plasmodium infection.

Here, we summarize the role of IL-10 during murine malaria infection, focusing especially on coinfection with lethal and nonlethal strains of malaria parasites.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the major sources of IL-10 are subpopulations of CD4+ T cells in humans and mice infected with Plasmodium.

We also discuss the influence of innate immunity on the induction of CD4+ T cells during murine malaria coinfection.