Interleukin 12 induction of interferon gamma-dependent protection against malaria

Intraperitoneal administration of recombinant interleukin 12 (rIL-12) in BALB/c mice induces the non-T and non-B cells to secrete interferon gamma that releases nitric oxide to protect the mice from Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite-induced malaria. Introduction of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or an interferon gamma monoclonal antibody abolishes the effect of rIL-12. rIL-12 treatment protects the mice from the effects of cytotoxic anti-CD8 and -CD4 monoclonal antibodies and T- and B-cell immunodeficiency.