Figure 3

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Object name is JIR2015-162639.003.jpg

Inflammatory and cytokine response pathways. GenMAPP illustration of genes upregulated with low parasitemias (a) and medium to high parasitemias (b). Several genes were upregulated more frequently with medium or high parasitemias (b) than low parasitemias (a). Among these were IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, and INF-γ. Additionally, a number of genes, including IL-7, IL-15, and PGDFA (platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide), were downregulated with low parasitemias and upregulated with medium to high parasitemias. TGF-β was downregulated more with medium to high than low parasitemias.

2015;2015:162639. doi: 10.1155/2015/162639. Epub 2015 Sep 30.

Human Gene Expression in Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria.

Colborn JM1, Ylöstalo JH2, Koita OA3, Cissé OH4, Krogstad DJ5.

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Abstract

To examine human gene expression during uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, we obtained three samples (acute illness, treatment, and recovery) from 10 subjects and utilized each subject's recovery sample as their baseline. At the time of acute illness (day 1), subjects had upregulation of innate immune response, cytokine, and inflammation-related genes (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, and IFN-γ), which was more frequent with parasitemias >100,000 per μL and body temperatures ≥39°C. Apoptosis-related genes (Fas, BAX, and TP53) were upregulated acutely and for several days thereafter (days 1-3). In contrast, the expression of immune-modulatory (transcription factor 7, HLV-DOA, and CD6) and apoptosis inhibitory (c-myc, caspase 8, and Fas Ligand G) genes was downregulated initially and returned to normal with clinical recovery (days 7-10). These results indicate that the innate immune response, cytokine, and apoptosis pathways are upregulated acutely in uncomplicated malaria with concomitant downregulation of immune-modulatory and apoptosis inhibitory genes.