| Summary: | Macrophage phagocytosis is the first line of defense of the innate immune system against malaria parasite
infection. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of BCG and recombinant BCG (rBCG) strains expressing
the C-terminus of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1C) of Plasmodium falciparum on mouse macrophage cell line
J774A.1 in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS + IFN-γ. The rBCG strain significantly enhanced
phagocytic activity, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, nitric oxide (NO), and inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS Mean + SE M (x107 CFU)”) as compared with parental BCG strain, and these activities increased in
the presence of LPS and LPS+IFN-γ. Furthermore, the rBCG strain also significantly reduced the macrophage viability as
well as the rBCG growth suggesting the involvement of macrophage apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that
the rBCG strain has an immunomodulatory effect on macrophages, thus strengthen the rational use of rBCG to control
malaria infection.
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