Infection by and protective immune responses against <it>Plasmodium berghei </it>ANKA are not affected in macrophage scavenger receptors A deficient mice

• Main Authors: Portugal Sílvia, Cunha-Rodrigues Margarida, Febbraio Maria, Mota Maria M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-08-01
• Series: BMC Microbiology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2180/6/73

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Scavenger receptors (SRs) recognize endogenous molecules modified by pathological processes as well as components of diverse microorganisms. Mice deficient for both SR-AI and II are more susceptible to infections by a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we show that SR-A deficient mice and wild type mice are equally susceptible to malaria infection both during liver and blood stages. Moreover, like wild type mice, SR-A deficient mice are able to mount a protective immune response against radiation attenuated sporozoites.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results do not reveal a function of SR-A I and II receptors in the <it>Plasmodium berghei </it>ANKA infection, both in the development of CM and parasitemia control. Moreover, these receptors appear not to be required for the establishment of a protective immune response against the malaria liver stages.</p>