Evaluation of the effects of activation and endothelial dysfunction induced by P. vivax in patients from Brazilian endemic regions

• Grant number: 19/12693-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
• Grantee: Letícia Cristina Scarapicchia Monteiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/18611-7 - Development of new tools for search and validation of molecular targets for therapy against Plasmodium vivax, AP.TEM

Abstract

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is the most widely distributed malaria form in the world. Worldwide, 2.5 billion people are at risk of Plasmodium vivax infection, with 8.5 million cases worldwide in 2015. P. vivax has several unique biological characteristics, such as: exclusive preference for reticulocyte infection, the production of sex stages (gametocytes) observed in peripheral blood quite early after infection, which makes treatment challenging. The lack of an effective treatment may be related to poor understanding of parasite-host interactions. To this extent, the presence of infected erythrocytes accumulated in the blood vessels was observed, and this accumulation led to the induction of damage by directly activating the endothelium and by recruiting immune cells from the host, leading to an inflammatory state even after the elimination of the parasite. The observed endothelial activation may lead to endothelial dysfunction that is associated with severe cases of Vivax Malaria. In addition, possible extravascular reservoirs were observed from the analysis of parasitic biomass through circulating biomarkers for P. vivax. These biomarkers were found in the lung, spleen, bone marrow, and liver, indicating the parasite's ability to lodge in tissues outside the circulation. Therefore, the endothelial cell plays an important role in the interaction between the vascular and extravascular environment, since its dysfunction may be detrimental to the body's homeostasis. Considering that the impacts of infection on individuals in endemic areas are not understood, especially when they remain constantly exposed to the parasite, it becomes important to elucidate the potential impacts caused by recurrent Vivax infections. Therefore, the objective of the project is to investigate the impact of activation and endothelial dysfunction induced by P. vivax in patients from endemic regions. (AU)