Análise da função fagocítica de macrófagos de animais infectados com Plasmodium berghei NK65

Abstract

Malaria is a major tropical disease with worldwide distribution. The disease is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium which infects humans and other animal species. Experimental models of infection by Plasmodium berghei NK65A (PbBNK65A) in Balb/c mice is important in the understanding of human disease. Immune response to malaria configures itself extremely, involving different elements. Macrophages are important cells against the erythrocytic parasite stage. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate different aspects of macrophage functions during infection by PbNK65A. The results showed that the parasite does not alter the frequency on peritoneal macrophages. However, the infected animals showed higher expression of coestimulatory molecules, mainly CD80 and significant reduction in the ability to phagocytosis infected erythrocytes during the infection. The production of IL-12 cytokine, important for activation of the cellular response, was also affected during infection. Thus, we suggest that infection by Plasmodium affects the innate immune response, and this can be attributed to the negative character of the infection on the macrophages, which has changed its principal functions, such as phagocytosis and IL-12 production. Although co-stimulation is preserved and even higher in this model, is insufficient to generate a host cell response that limits the proliferation of Plasmodium, and especially the host death.