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Polymorphisms, Hemozoin Load and Cytokines in Cerebral Malaria
This project has ended. | | FULL GRANT TITLE: | The Relationship Between TLR9 polymorphisms, Hemozoin Load, and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in the Development of Cerebral Malaria | | COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS: | Makerere University/Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | CO-PIs: | Nadia Sam-Agudu, M.D., DTM&H, and Chandy John, M.D., M.S. | | COLLABORATING PI: | Dr Robert Opoka (Makerere University)
| | FUNDING SOURCE: | Thrasher Research Fund New Researcher Award to Dr Sam-Agudu, and NIH/NINDS R01 NS055349 to Dr. John | | STUDY SUMMARY: | This study examines the role(s) that toll-like receptor (TLR) polymorphisms (mutations) may play in exaggerated immune responses and predisposition to cerebral malaria (CM). In an earlier, closely-related study (see below), we discovered that children with CM who had certain TLR 9 polymorphisms were more likely to produce exaggerated immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum infection. The results of the prior study are the basis of our current study. We are comparing immune cytokine responses, TLR 9 polymorphisms, and also TLR9 malaria ligand (hemozoin) quantities in children with CM, vs. those with severe malarial anemia. We expect to elicit more information about how host genetics and parasite factors may interact to affect an individual’s susceptibility to severe malaria. |
PUBLICATIONS Sam-Agudu NA, Greene JA, Opoka RO, Kazura JW, Boivin MJ, Zimmerman PA, Riedesel MA, Bergemann TL, Schimmenti LA, John CC. TLR9 polymorphisms are associated with altered IFN-γ levels in children with cerebral malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg, accepted for publication. |
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