The role of IL-1 in the immunopathogenesis of Placental Malaria

• Grant number: 19/12078-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Grantee: Alexsander Rodrigues Carvalho Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Malaria is the main parasitic human disease, responsible for more than 200 million cases and about 400 thousand deaths per year. Every year at least 50 million pregnant women are exposed to Malaria, which represents an increased risk for the life of the mother and the developing fetus. Pregnancy-associated Malaria is characterized by sequestration of parasites in the placenta, and consequent maternal Anemia, intrauterine growth retardation, and decreased fetal viability. However, the mechanisms that can lead to the triggering of the placental inflammatory response and consequently to more severe disease conditions in pregnant women remain poorly understood. Evidence suggests that induction and maintenance of inflammatory response in the placenta are linked to multiple cell interactions and soluble factors, mainly through the action of cytokines. This project aims to study the effects of IL-1 on the development of placental Malaria in murine models of infection. Thus, we expect that the knowledge generated could contribute to the understanding of gestational Malaria, in addition to enabling studies at the development of new methodologies for the treatment of the disease. (AU)