Endothelial Protein C Receptor Could Contribute to Experimental Malaria-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Author(s)

Ortolan, Luana dos Santos ^[1] ; Sercundes, Michelle Klein ^[2] ; Moura, Gabriel Candido ^[2] ; Quirino, Thatyane de Castro ^[2] ; Debone, Daniela ^[2] ; Costa, Douglas de Sousa ^[3] ; Murillo, Oscar ^[3] ; Farias Marinho, Claudio Romero ^[3] ; Epiphanio, Sabrina ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Immunol, Biomed Sci Inst, 1730 Prof Lineu Prestes Ave, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, 580 Prof Lineu Prestes Ave, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Parasitol, Biomed Sci Inst, 1374 Prof Lineu Prestes Ave, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH; v. 2019, DEC 4 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria is associated with parasite cytoadherence, but there is limited knowledge about the effect of parasite cytoadherence in malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our objective was to evaluate the cytoadherence of infected red blood cells (iRBCs) in a murine model of ARDS and to appraise a potential function of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) in ARDS pathogenesis. DBA/2 mice infected with P. berghei ANKA were classified as ARDS- or hyperparasitemia- (HP-) developing mice according to respiratory parameters and parasitemia. Lungs, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage were collected for gene expression or protein analyses. Primary cultures of microvascular lung endothelial cells from DBA/2 mice were analyzed for iRBC interactions. Lungs from ARDS-developing mice showed evidence of iRBC accumulation along with an increase in EPCR and TNF concentrations. Furthermore, TNF increased iRBC adherence in vitro. Dexamethasone-treated infected mice showed low levels of TNF and EPCR mRNA expression and, finally, decreased vascular permeability, thus protecting mice from ARDS. In conclusion, we identified that increased iRBC cytoadherence in the lungs underlies malaria-associated ARDS in DBA/2-infected mice and that inflammation increased cytoadherence capacity, suggesting a participation of EPCR and a conceivable target for drug development. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/20451-0 - The role of endothelial cells in the immunopathogenesis of murine malaria-associated ALI/ARDS: effects and mechanisms
• Grantee: Sabrina Epiphanio
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/20718-3 - The role of cytoadherence and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the immunopathogenesis of murine severe malaria associated to acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Grantee: Luana dos Santos Ortolan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/00981-1 - Characterization of the role of dendritic cells in the recrudescence of malaria in pregnancy
• Grantee: Oscar Javier Murillo Gómez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/05782-8 - The study of vascular permeability in the malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Grantee: Sabrina Epiphanio
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/00077-4 - Study of vascular permeability in endothelial cells regarding Plamodium berghei NK65
• Grantee: Gabriel Cândido Moura
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation