Modulation of host responses to blood-stage malaria by interleukin-12: from therapy to adjuvant activity

This review focuses on the role of interleukin (IL)-12, a proinflammatory c ytokine with pleiotropic effects as a potent immunoregulatory molecule and hematopoietic growth factor, in infection with Plasmodium parasites, the ca usative agents of malaria. IL-12 has been demonstrated to have profound eff ects on the immune response to blood-stage malaria, to induce protection, a nd to alleviate malarial anemia. In combination with an anti-malarial drug, IL-12 is effective in an established malaria infection. This cytokine also has potent immune effects as a malaria vaccine adjuvant. However, IL-12 ca n also mediate pathology during blood-stage malaria. (C) 2001 Editions scie ntifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.