Distinct roles of IL-27 produced by macrophages and dendritic cells in shaping the immune response against Plasmodium parasites

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16236
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49040:Parasitology-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Bayarsaikhan Ganchimeg 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 客員研究員 (80841353)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Plasmodium / Interleukin-27 / myeloid cells

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Malaria is one of the main global burdens, estimating over 200 million cases and 400 thousand deaths occurring annually. Decades of research to develop a vaccine against malaria have yet to establish a highly efficacious vaccine. Therefore, understanding the immune response against malaria is essential.
Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are critical cell types in innate immunity and in the induction of effective adaptive immune responses to limit Plasmodium parasite infection and disease severity during blood-stage malaria. These cells produce cytokines including interleukin-27 (IL-27), which regulate the induction and expansion of adaptive immunity. We investigated the role of IL-27 produced by DC and macrophages in blood-stage malaria infection. Our results suggested that IL-27 produced by DCs involved initial increase of parasitemia and preferentially suppressed development of antigen specific response, while IL-27 produced by macrophages prevent disease progression.

Free Research Field

Malaria

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、マクロファージにより産生されるIL-27がマラリアの進行を阻止する一方で、樹状細胞により産生されるIL-27がマラリアに対する抗原特異的免疫応答を制御していることを示した。これらの発見は、マラリア原虫感染に対する炎症性免疫応答と抗炎症性免疫応答のバランスを維持する宿主免疫機構の理解に役立つと考えられます。