Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Myeloid Cell Isolation from Mouse Skin and Draining Lymph Node Following Intradermal Immunization with Live Attenuated Plasmodium Sporozoites
Published on: May 18, 2016
Mast cells promote malaria infection?
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Purpose:
Malaria remains the most deadly human parasitic disease, mostly because of the mosquito-born protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum with ~627,000 deaths reported in 2012. Unfortunately, there is resistance to most drugs, and successful vaccines are still not developed. The role of the immune system is critical but poorly understood.
Methods:
One specific publication that reported a new way through which the immune system may promote malaria pathogenesis is discussed.
Findings:
Kenyan children with mild and severe malaria had increased plasma levels of the Flt3 ligand, a soluble cytokine released from the surface of mast cells (MCs). A positive correlation was found between disease severity and frequencies of circulating BDCA3(+) dendritic cells. These human equivalents of the rodent CD8(+) T cells migrate to tissues with a heavy parasite load and cause damage primarily through cytolysis.
Implications:
Malaria parasites may promote malaria pathogenesis by triggering MCs, which expand a unique class of dendritic cells with the subsequent activation of pathogenic CD8(+) T cells. However, MCs may have additional regulatory functions. Selective inhibition of MC activation may serve as an adjuvant treatment.
Insights
Malaria parasites may worsen disease by activating mast cells (MCs), leading to pathogenic CD8(+) T cells. Inhibiting MCs could be a new malaria treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is a deadly parasitic disease with limited treatment options.
- Drug resistance and lack of vaccines necessitate understanding the immune system's role in malaria pathogenesis.
- The immune response in malaria is critical yet not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss a publication detailing how the immune system may exacerbate malaria.
- To explore the link between mast cells, dendritic cells, and T cell activation in malaria.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plasma Flt3 ligand levels in Kenyan children with varying malaria severity.
- Correlation of disease severity with frequencies of circulating BDCA3(+) dendritic cells.
- Discussion of a publication on immune mechanisms promoting malaria pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Increased plasma Flt3 ligand levels were observed in children with mild and severe malaria.
- Higher frequencies of circulating BDCA3(+) dendritic cells correlated positively with malaria severity.
- BDCA3(+) dendritic cells, similar to rodent CD8(+) T cells, migrate to parasite-rich tissues and cause damage via cytolysis.
Conclusions:
- Malaria parasites may induce pathogenesis by activating mast cells, expanding specific dendritic cells, and activating pathogenic CD8(+) T cells.
- Mast cells might possess additional regulatory functions in malaria.
- Selective inhibition of mast cell activation presents a potential adjuvant therapy for malaria.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
00:58Symbiosis
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells