The role of heme oxygenase 1 in malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Author(s)

Marcelo Luís Monteiro Pereira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2016-08-25

Examining board members

Sabrina Epiphanio; Richardt Gama Landgraf; Joilson de Oliveira Martins; Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron; Ana Cláudia Trócoli Torrecilhas

• Advisor: Sabrina Epiphanio; Claudio Romero Farias Marinho

Abstract

Malaria is a serious disease, caused by the parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which was responsible to 440,000 deaths in 2015. Acute lung injury/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is one of the main clinical complications in severe malaria. The murine model DBA/2 reproduces the clinical signs of ALI/ARDS observed in humans, when infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Additionally, high levels heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were reported in cases of cerebral malaria and in ALI/ARDS in humans. Our data have indicated that the HO-1 levels are increased in mice that develop malaria associated ALI/ARDS (MA-ALI/ARDS). Additionally, a HO-1 inducing drug (hemin) increased the survival rate and prevented mice from developing MA-ALI/ARDS in treated mice. Also, there was a decrease in the lung permeability and in lung VEGF levels, and an amelioration of respiratory parameters. Therefore, the induction of HO-1 before the development of MA-ALI/ARDS is protective, making this enzyme a possible target of new drugs to prevent the development of MA-ALI/ARDS in humans. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/10081-5 - The role heme oxygenase 1 in malaria-associated acute lung injury
• Grantee: Marcelo Luís Monteiro Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate