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Interactions Between Natural Killer Cells, Cortisol and Prolactin in Malaria During Pregnancy

Elie Mavoungou, PhD, Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon and Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany

Reprint Requests: Elie Mavoungou, PhD, Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon, c/o Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany, Tel: 49 7071/298 21 94; Fax: 49 7071/29 58, E-mail: elie.mavoungou{at}uni-tuebingen.de

Natural killer cells derived from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells are important cells of the immune system that have two main functions: a cytolytic activity and a cytokine-producing capacity. These functions are tightly regulated by numerous activating and inhibitory receptors, including newly discovered receptors that selectively trigger the cytolytic activity in a major histocompatibility complex independent manner. Based on their defining function of spontaneous cytotoxicity without prior immunization, natural killer (NK) cells have been thought to play a critical role in immune surveillance and cancer therapy. New insights into NK cell biology have suggested their major roles in the control of infections, particularly in Plasmodium falciparum infection and in fetal implantation. P. falciparum is the main protozoan parasite responsible for malaria causing 200–300 million clinical cases and killing over 3 million people each year. This review provides an update on NK cell function, ontogeny and biology in order to better understand the role of NK cells in pregnancy in regions where malaria is endemic. Understanding mechanisms of NK cell functions may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human disease, in general, and particularly in the fight against malaria.

Key Words: Natural killer cells • Plasmodium falciparum • malaria • pregnancy

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. D. Reed and S. A. Salzman-Scott Expression of Concern - Mavoungou E. Interactions Between Natural Killer Cells, Cortisol and Prolactin in Malaria During Pregnancy. Clin Med Res 2006;4:33-41. Clin. Med. Res., May 1, 2008; 6(1): 2 - 2. [Full Text] [PDF]