Study of the immunologic mechanisms involved in the recrudescence of experimental malaria during pregnancy.

Author(s)

Keitty Raquel Benevides Pereira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2012-05-14

Examining board members

Claudio Romero Farias Marinho; Estela Maris Andrade Forell Bevilacqua; Fábio Trindade Maranhão Costa

• Advisor: Claudio Romero Farias Marinho

Abstract

In this work, we used a murine model of recrudescence of malaria associated with pregnancy, consisting of BALB / c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKAGFP to evaluate the immune response associated with the recrudescence of the disease. Observing the spleen cell populations by flow cytometry, an increase in the percentage of CD4+, CD19+, TCR <font face=\"Symbol\">g<font face=\"Symbol\">d+, GR1+ cells was observed in the infected animals, compared to the uninfected controls. No differences were observed in the percentage of placental leukocytes. Furthermore, our results showed that in the spleen, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were in a more active state in recrudescent females, while in the placenta, these animals exhibited an increase in CD4+ T cell activation. The ratio IgG2a/IgG1 in recrudescent vs non-recrudescent animals showed a 3-fold increase in the production of IgG2a indicating a Th1 immune response. qRT-PCR analysis, together with flow cytometry, showed that dendritic cells were the reservoirs of the parasite during the chronic stage of the disease, preceding the recrudescence. Together, these data suggest that recrudescence during pregnancy is directly linked to tissue damage, probably related to an exacerbated Th1 response in the placenta. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03613-5 - Study of the immunological mechanisms involved in the recrudescence of malaria during pregnancy
• Grantee: Keitty Raquel Benevides Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master