Malaria selectively targets pregnancy receptors

Chishti, Athar H.

doi:10.1182/blood-2014-11-610634

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…5 It is a virulent factor synthesized by the parasite during its maturation in host RBCs 11 and is capable of attaching to host erythrocytes by making use of both host- and parasite-derived cytoskeletal adapters. 12 The adhesion and interactions of the parasite/host adhesion molecules enhance the growth of the parasite in the internal organs. Sequestration in other organs may be mediated by receptors such as ICAM1 and CD36, but in the placenta, it is essentially mediated by chondroitin sulphate-A (CSA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been suggested that higher adherence to CSA results in greater binding and cooperativity. 12 Determining the level of parasitemia is important while reporting malaria infection, since it is useful in the assessment of the parasite morphology, in clinical trials, epidemiologic studies and in the evaluation of effectiveness of interventions in individuals and communities. 13 , 14…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variations in the leukocyte and cytokine profiles between placental and maternal circulation in pregnancy-associated malaria

Okamgba¹,

Ifeanyichukwu²,

Ilesanmi³

et al. 2018

RRTM

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BackgroundActivation of immune cells by malaria infection induces the secretion of cytokines and the synthesis of other inflammatory mediators. This study compared the cytokine levels and leukocyte count between malaria-infected peripheral and placental blood of pregnant women before delivery and postpartum. The cytokines assessed include interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10).Materials and methodsThe subjects comprised 144 malaria-infected pregnant women and 60 malaria-infected women at post-partum stage (for placental blood collection). Others were 60 malaria-uninfected pregnant women and 40 malaria-uninfected women at postpartum stage (for placental blood collection). Forty malaria-infected and 40 malaria-uninfected nonpregnant women served as control subjects. The test groups were asymptomatic, and the control groups were apparently healthy subjects. All were aged between 17 and 44 years. Ethical approval for the study was obtained at Abia State University Teaching Hospital and Living Word Mission Hospital, Aba. Informed consent was obtained from the participants. Blood samples were aseptically collected initially from the maternal peripheral circulation and from the placenta on delivery, and tested for HIV and malaria using standard methods. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Kruskal–Wallis test was used for comparison of the groups.ResultsIFN-γ was significantly higher in the peripheral than in placental blood (P=0.001). IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly lower in the peripheral than in placental blood (P=0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). The total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the placenta than in peripheral blood (P=0.001), and the mixed differential count was significantly higher in the placenta than in peripheral blood (P=0.012).ConclusionThis study has shown that the cytokine levels and leukocyte counts may differ between the peripheral and placental blood of the same women. Therefore, measurement of parameters in the peripheral circulation may not always reflect the levels in the placental blood for the assessment of immune cellular response at the materno–fetal interface.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations in the leukocyte and cytokine profiles between placental and maternal circulation in pregnancy-associated malaria

Okamgba¹,

Ifeanyichukwu²,

Ilesanmi³

et al. 2018

RRTM

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“…There is sporogenesis (a sexual development phase) inside the mosquito's digestive system. Gametes in the body of the mosquito combine to create a zygote and then an ookinete that penetrates the intestinal epithelium of the mosquito, forming an oocyte [ 55 , 56 ].…”

Section: Perspectives For the Use Of New Species Of Microorganismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, despite all the negative features of the parasite, it can be used to treat cancer. Salanti et al [ 22 ] demonstrated that Plasmodium falciparum , after penetrating into erythrocytes, expresses malarial protein VAR2CSA, which is responsible for binding to mucopolysaccharide-chondroitin sulphate A (CSA), present in physiological conditions on the surface of placenta cells [ 22 , 56 , 58 ]. The placenta is a specialized organ whose main function is acting as a mediator between the mother and the baby.…”

Section: Perspectives For the Use Of New Species Of Microorganismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations

Łukasiewicz

Fol

2018

Journal of Immunology Research

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Cancer remains one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The increasing numbers of cases are not accompanied by adequate progress in therapy. The standard methods of treatment often do not lead to the expected effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to find new, more effective treatments. One of the most promising research directions is immunotherapy, including the use of specific types of microorganisms. This type of treatment is expected to stimulate the immune system for the selective elimination of cancer cells. The research results seem to be promising and show the intensive activation of the immune response as a result of bacterial stimulation. In addition, it is possible to use microorganisms in many different ways, based on their specific properties, that is, toxin production, anaerobic lifestyle, or binding substances that can be delivered to a specific location (vectors). This paper provides an overview of selected microorganisms which are already in use or that are in the experimental phase. Just like any other therapy, the use of microbes for cancer treatment also has some disadvantages. Nevertheless, this kind of treatment can supplement conventional anticancer therapy, giving cancer patients a chance and hope of recovery.

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“…But perhaps most critically, P. falciparum facilitates red blood cells to adhere to one another (rosetting) as well as to endothelial cells in blood vessels which can result in significantly impeded blood flow [2]. P. falciparum synthesizes a distinct virulence factor called PfEMP1(P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1) inside host red blood cells, which moves to the red blood cell membrane and facilitates adhesion to endothelial cells in the blood vessel wall [6]. It is the opinion of the authors that this red blood cell adherence both to each other, as well as to the walls of the placental micro-vascular, was the main contributor to the significantly compromised placental perfusion displayed by the numerous prolonged decelerations observed ( Figure 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%