IL-1α promotes liver inflammation and necrosis during blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi malaria

Abstract

Malaria causes hepatic inflammation and damage, which contribute to disease severity. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α is released by non-hematopoietic or hematopoietic cells during liver injury. This study established the role of IL-1α in the liver pathology caused by blood-stage P. chabaudi malaria. During acute infection, hepatic inflammation and necrosis were accompanied by NLRP3 inflammasome-independent IL-1α production. Systemically, IL-1α deficiency attenuated weight loss and hypothermia but had minor effects on parasitemia control. In the liver, the absence of IL-1α reduced the number of TUNEL + cells and necrotic lesions. This finding was associated with a lower inf..