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Marked differences in CRP genotype frequencies between the Fulani and sympatric ethnic groups in Africa
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Wenner-Gren Institute , Immunology.
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Wenner-Gren Institute , Immunology.
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2009 (English)In: Malaria Journal, ISSN 1475-2875, E-ISSN 1475-2875, Vol. 8, no 136Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that can activate various immune cells and bind to certain Fcγ receptors. The latter may compete with the binding of IgG antibodies to these receptors and could thereby interfere with the antigen-specific immune response. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the CRP gene have been strongly associated with the plasma concentration of CRP. The known lower susceptibility to malaria in the Fulani ethnic group, as compared to their sympatric neighbours in Africa, has been linked to different genetic backgrounds. The present study was performed to investigate if polymorphisms in the CRP gene could contribute to the lower susceptibility to malaria seen in the Fulani ethnic group.

Methods

The CRP -717 T>C, -286 C>T>A, and +1444 C>T polymorphisms were analysed in asymptomatic Fulani and non-Fulani individuals from Mali and Sudan using Pyrosequencing T and TaqMan r MGB probes.

Results

The rare -286 A allele, previously shown to be associated with increased CRP expression and plasma levels, was shown to be more frequent in the non-Fulani ethnic groups as compared to the sympatric Fulani ethnic group both in Mali and Sudan. The common -717 T allele was more prevalent in the non-Fulani ethnic group compared to the sympatric Fulani ethnic group, but only in Mali. The parasite prevalence was increased for the -286 A allele, but not for the -717 T allele. No differences regarding genotype frequency or parasite prevalence were seen for +1444 C>T.

Conclusion

This study indicate that CRP may play an important role in the immune responses to malaria, and that the -286 C/T/A CRP polymorphism may be a contributing factor to the lower susceptibility to malaria seen in the Fulani.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2009. Vol. 8, no 136
National Category
Immunology in the medical area
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-25598DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-136ISI: 000268319900001OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-25598DiVA, id: diva2:200030
Available from: 2008-11-06 Created: 2008-10-31 Last updated: 2022-02-25Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Host genetic factors and antibody responses with potential involvement in the susceptibility to malaria
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Host genetic factors and antibody responses with potential involvement in the susceptibility to malaria
2008 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The relatively lower susceptibility to malaria seen in the Fulani ethnic group in Africa, as compared to other sympatric ethnic groups, has been related to genetic regulation of the immune responses. This thesis aimed to describe important pathways related to the regulation of antibodies in the immune responses during a malaria infection. Our results suggest that the higher anti-malarial immune responses seen in the Fulani are not a general hyper-responsiveness in this group, but neither a malaria specific response. Fcγ receptors are important structures in the immune responses, and polymorphisms in these genes were associated with IgG subclass levels, P. falciparum parasitemia and haemoglobin levels, suggesting that these polymorphisms may be a contributing factor to the differential susceptibility to malaria. C-reactive protein levels rise immediately in response to inflammatory stimuli, and the -286 CRP polymorphism was indicated to influence parasite levels, suggesting a possible involvement in the lower susceptibility to malaria seen in the Fulani ethnic group. Several cytokines are important in maintaining the optimal parasite-neutralizing milieu in the host, and we investigated polymorphisms in some of these cytokine genes, in order to establish a possible influence of these on malaria susceptibility. Several of these polymorphisms showed associations with haemoglobin levels, IgG subclass antibody levels and parasitemia, suggesting that IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF could affect the susceptibility to malaria and the severity of the malaria infection.

Taken together, these data suggest that genetic factors have the ability to affect the antibody responses, and that several pathways can be affected. Moreover, the Fulani have a genetic predisposition for a higher inflammatory response during a malaria infection, which could lower their susceptibility to the disease. However, the control measures for this inflammation still have to be established and evaluated.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Wenner-Grens institut för experimentell biologi, 2008. p. 85
Keywords
Immunology
National Category
Immunology in the medical area
Research subject
Immunology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-8301 (URN)978-91-7155-763-6 (ISBN)
Public defence
2008-11-28, Nordenskiöldsalen, Geovetenskapens hus, Svante Arrhenius väg 8 C, Stockholm, 10:00
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Available from: 2008-11-06 Created: 2008-10-31 Last updated: 2018-01-13Bibliographically approved

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Israelsson, ElisabethTroye-Blomberg, MaritaBerzins, Klavs

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