Perforin (PFP)

Molecular group: 
Leucocyte effector mechanisms and proteases
Molecule/Cell: 
Perforin (PFP)
Plasmodium strain: 
Plasmodium berghei ANKA
pRBC infection titer: 
10^6
Mouse genetic background (Con): 
C57BL/6
Level of backcrossing: 
N.I.
Experimental treatment group (EG): 
PFP -/-
Lethal infection (Con): 
yes
Lethal infection (EG): 
yes
Pathology (Con): 
CM (100%)
Pathology (EG): 
No CM
Parasitemia (EG vs Con): 
N.I.
Additional phenotypes (EG vs Con): 
Prolonged survival (2-3 weeks); similar edema, sequestration of pRBCs and accumulation of CD44+CD62L- CD4 and CD8 T cells in the brain; adoptively transfered splenocytes from infected WT mice migrate to the brain and induce CM; adoptively transfered CD8+ cells from infected WT mice, but not from infected PFP -/- mice, induce CM in RAG2 -/- mice (lack peripheral T and B cells); ↓ cytolytic activity of IFN-g producing CD8+ cells; similar expression of CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2 and CCR5 on CD8+ cells
Refs: 
Nitcheu et al., 2003, J Immunol