@Article{ecn.2008.0114,
AUTHOR = {Ludovic Mewono, Davy W. Matondo Maya, Pierre-Blaise Matsiegui, Selidji T. Agnandji, Eric Kendjo, Fortune Barondi, Saadou Issifou, Peter G. Kremsner, Elie Mavoungou},
TITLE = {Interleukin-21 is associated with IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies to erythrocyte-binding antigen-175 peptide 4 of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in Gabonese children with acute <i>falciparum</i> malaria},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {19},
YEAR = {2008},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {30--36},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v19n1/65945},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a newly described, typical, four-helix cytokine showing significant
homology with IL-2, IL-4 and IL-15. It regulates IgG1 production and co-operates with IL-4 in the production of
multiple antibody classes in vivo. IgG1 and IgG3 are critically involved in the development of clinical immunity
to <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria. However, the mechanisms driving class-switch recombination towards these
specific isotypes remain to be elucidated. Seventy-three children with <i>P. falciparum</i>-positive, thick blood smears
were recruited from the pediatric wards of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital and the General Hospital in
Lambaréné. Children were grouped into two categories according to age: group A (1 to 5 years old) and group
B (6 to 16 years old). Patients with severe (severe anemia and/or hyperparasitemia) and mild malaria were
enrolled. Prevalence and level of IL-21, total IgG and subclass (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) titers were
determined in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma IL-21 levels correlated with IgG1
and IgG3 levels. Additionally, plasma IL-21 levels correlated with hemoglobin levels in younger children and with
parasite density. Here we describe the relationship between IL-21 and antibodies for erythrocyte-binding
antigen-175 (EBA-175) peptide 4, a malaria vaccine candidate in Gabonese children with acute <i>falciparum</i>
malaria. This study provides new insights into the field of malaria.},
DOI = {10.1684/ecn.2008.0114}
}