The role of Toll like receptors (TLRs) in the immunopathogenesis of pregnancy associated malaria.

Author(s)

Leandro Gustavo da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2011-12-14

Examining board members

Claudio Romero Farias Marinho; Karina Ramalho Bortoluci; Silvia Beatriz Boscardin

• Advisor: Claudio Romero Farias Marinho

Abstract

Pregnancy associated malaria can lead to complications both for the mother and the fetus. Toll like receptors (TLR) TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 can recognize components of the Plasmodium sp. These receptors signal through the MyD88 protein. However there are few data on TLR in placental malaria. Thus, The objective of this work was to study the role of TLR2, 4, 9 and MyD88 in placental malaria. Among female mice C57BL/6, TLR2-/-, TLR9-/- and MyD88-/-, the lineage MyD88-/- showed higher levels of parasitemia, survival and parental care, and still placentas of MyD88-/- infected female, differently of TLR2-/- and TLR9-/-, had no decrease in the vascular space compared to controls. Animals C57BL/6 infected showed increased mRNA for IL1-<font face=\"Symbol\">b and IL-6 in the placenta, which did not occur in MyD88-/-. Pregnant infected C57BL/6 and MyD88-/- had more splenocytes, with preferential expansion of B lymphocytes (CD19+). in infected C57BL/6 was also demonstrated an increased expression of the activation marker CD69 on CD8+ T lymphocytes. Together, these results suggest that signaling through MyD88 is important for the development of placental malaria and this may be related with an increased inflammatory response induced by the parasite. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11566-0 - The role of Toll like receptors (TLRs) in the pregnancy-associated malaria immunopathogenesis
• Grantee: Leandro Gustavo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master