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Segbefia SP, Asandem DA, Amoah LE, Kusi KA. Cytokine gene polymorphisms implicated in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum infection outcome. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1285411. [PMID: 38404582 PMCID: PMC10884311 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1285411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytokines play a critical role in the immune mechanisms involved in fighting infections including malaria. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes may affect immune responses during an infection with Plasmodium parasites and immunization outcomes during routine administration of malaria vaccines. These polymorphisms can increase or reduce susceptibility to this deadly infection, and this may affect the physiologically needed balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the effect of selected cytokine gene polymorphisms on immune responses against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selorm Philip Segbefia
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Diana Asema Asandem
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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A meta-analysis on the association of the -308 G/A polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene with the development of malaria. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Recent Advances in Understanding the Inflammatory Response in Malaria: A Review of the Dual Role of Cytokines. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:7785180. [PMID: 34790829 PMCID: PMC8592744 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7785180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a serious and, in some unfortunate cases, fatal disease caused by a parasite of the Plasmodium genus. It predominantly occurs in tropical areas where it is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The pathogenesis of malaria is complex and incompletely elucidated. During blood-stage infection, in response to the presence of the parasite, the host's immune system produces proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, and TNF, cytokines which play a pivotal role in controlling the growth of the parasite and its elimination. Regulatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β and IL-10 maintain the balance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. However, in many cases, cytokines have a double role. On the one hand, they contribute to parasitic clearance, and on the other, they are responsible for pathological changes encountered in malaria. Cytokine-modulating strategies may represent a promising modern approach in disease management. In this review, we discuss the host immune response in malaria, analyzing the latest studies on the roles of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
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Differential Effect of Antioxidants Glutathione and Vitamin C on the Hepatic Injuries Induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA Infection. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:9694508. [PMID: 34527745 PMCID: PMC8437662 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9694508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium and represents one of the main public health problems in the world. Among alterations associated with the disease, we highlight the hepatic impairment resulting from the generation of oxidative stress. Studies demonstrate that liver injuries caused by Plasmodium infection are associated with unbalance of the antioxidant system in hepatocytes, although little is known about the role of antioxidant molecules such as glutathione and vitamin C in the evolution of the disease and in the liver injury. To evaluate disease complications, murine models emerge as a valuable tool due to their similarities between the infectious species for human and mice. Herein, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of antioxidants glutathione and vitamin C on the evolution of murine malaria and in the liver damage caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Mice were inoculated with parasitized erythrocytes and treated with glutathione and vitamin C, separately, both at 8 mg/kg during 7 consecutive days. Our data showed that during Plasmodium infection, treatment with glutathione promoted significant decrease in the survival of infected mice, accelerating the disease severity. However, treatment with vitamin C promoted an improvement in the clinical outcomes and prolonged the survival curve of infected animals. We also showed that glutathione promoted increase in the parasitemia rate of Plasmodium-infected animals, although treatment with vitamin C has induced significant decrease in parasitemia rates. Furthermore, histological analysis and enzyme biochemical measurement showed that treatment with glutathione exacerbates liver damage while treatment with vitamin C mitigates the hepatic injury induced by the infection. In summary, the current study provided evidences that antioxidant molecules could differently modulate the outcome of malaria disease; while glutathione aggravated the disease outcome and liver injury, the treatment with vitamin C protects the liver from damage and the evolution of the condition.
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Vengesai A, Marume A, Midzi H, Kasambala M, Naicker T, Mduluza T. Association of TNF (rs1800629) promoter polymorphism and schistosomiasis with sub-microscopic asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Zimbabwe. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 26:366-373. [PMID: 33191564 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infection with Plasmodium falciparum parasites may result in a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to mild or severe. A number of factors are associated with this heterogeneous response to P. falciparum infection. In the present study, associations of sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum with Schistosoma species and TNF (rs1800629) polymorphism were investigated. METHODS 361 clinically healthy primary school children were microscopically screened for S. haematobium, S. mansoni and P. falciparum. Sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum infections were determined by PCR. Genotypic profiles were identified using ARMS-PCR. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum with Schistosoma species and TNF (rs1800629) polymorphism. RESULTS 17.2% of the children were infected with S. mansoni, and 27.4% were infected with S. haematobium. Microscopic examination of thick smears detected only one child infected with P. falciparum. Based on PCR results, 46.1% were infected with sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum. Children carrying heterozygous AG (OR: 16.964, 95% CI: 0.496-586.547) and homozygous GG (OR: 2.280, 95% CI: 0.111-46.796) genotypes of rs1800629 were associated with an increased likelihood of sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum infections compared with those carrying homozygous AA genotype. Children without S. haematobium infections (OR: 1.051, 95% CI: 0.146-8.985) and S. mansoni (OR: 2.658, 95% CI: 0.498-14.184) also had an increased likelihood (risk) of being infected with sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum compared with the Schistosoma-infected groups. However, all the associations observed were not statistical significant. CONCLUSION No associations were observed between rs1800629 and schistosomiasis with sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum infections. This study also reports a high prevalence of sub-microscopic asymptomatic P. falciparum infection concomitant with low malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Vengesai
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Amos Marume
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Herald Midzi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Maritha Kasambala
- Department of Biology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Takafira Mduluza
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
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TNF-α promoter polymorphisms (G-238A and G-308A) are associated with susceptibility to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and P. falciparum malaria: a study in malaria endemic area. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11752. [PMID: 31409832 PMCID: PMC6692415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48182-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine associated with autoimmune and infectious diseases. Importance of TNF-α in P. falciparum malaria and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been demonstrated. However, association of functional promoter variants with SLE and malaria is lacking in malaria endemic population. A total of 204 female SLE patients and 224 age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Three hundred fourteen P. falciparum infected patients with different clinical phenotypes were included. TNF-α polymorphisms (G-238A & G-308A) were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Plasma levels of TNF-α was quantified by ELISA. Heterozygous mutants and minor alleles of TNF-α (G-238A and G-308A) polymorphisms were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls and associated with development of lupus nephritis. In addition, both promoter variants were associated with severe P. falciparum malaria. SLE patients demonstrated higher levels of plasma TNF-α compared to healthy controls. TNF-α (G-238A and G-308A) variants were associated with higher plasma TNF-α. In conclusion, TNF-α (G-238A & G-308A) variants are associated with higher plasma TNF-α levels in SLE patients residing in malaria endemic areas and could be a contributing factor in the development of SLE and susceptibility to severe P. falciparum malaria.
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Penha-Gonçalves C. Genetics of Malaria Inflammatory Responses: A Pathogenesis Perspective. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1771. [PMID: 31417551 PMCID: PMC6682681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in combating malaria in recent years the burden of severe disease and death due to Plasmodium infections remains a global public health concern. Only a fraction of infected people develops severe clinical syndromes motivating a longstanding search for genetic determinants of malaria severity. Strong genetic effects have been repeatedly ascribed to mutations and allelic variants of proteins expressed in red blood cells but the role of inflammatory response genes in disease pathogenesis has been difficult to discern. We revisited genetic evidence provided by inflammatory response genes that have been repeatedly associated to malaria, namely TNF, NOS2, IFNAR1, HMOX1, TLRs, CD36, and CD40LG. This highlighted specific genetic variants having opposing roles in the development of distinct malaria clinical outcomes and unveiled diverse levels of genetic heterogeneity that shaped the complex association landscape of inflammatory response genes with malaria. However, scrutinizing genetic effects of individual variants corroborates a pathogenesis model where pro-inflammatory genetic variants acting in early infection stages contribute to resolve infection but at later stages confer increased vulnerability to severe organ dysfunction driven by tissue inflammation. Human genetics studies are an invaluable tool to find genes and molecular pathways involved in the inflammatory response to malaria but their precise roles in disease pathogenesis are still unexploited. Genome editing in malaria experimental models and novel genotyping-by-sequencing techniques are promising approaches to delineate the relevance of inflammatory response gene variants in the natural history of infection thereby will offer new rational angles on adjuvant therapeutics for prevention and clinical management of severe malaria.
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Yang F, Wei K, Qin Z, Shao C, Shu Y, Shen H. Association between TNF-ɑ-308G/A polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk: An updated meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. J Cancer 2019; 10:1086-1096. [PMID: 30854115 PMCID: PMC6400664 DOI: 10.7150/jca.29390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: TNF-α-308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphism has been previously implicated in the susceptibility to esophageal cancer, but results of these studies remained controversial or ambiguous. A meta-analysis was conducted to provide a more reliable conclusion about the association between TNF-ɑ-308G/A polymorphism and risk of esophageal cancer. Methods: Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI were searched for relevant articles published till June 1, 2018. We used the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the strength of such associations. Subgroup analysis was carried out according to ethnicity, source of controls and genotyping method. A trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to reduce the risk of type I error and evaluate whether the results of our meta-analysis were credible. Results: A total of 9 published case-control studies with 1,435 esophageal cancer patients and 3,762 healthy controls were identified. Overall, our results indicated no significant correlation between TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism and increased risk of esophageal cancer in the fixed-effects model (allele model: pooled OR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.96-1.27, homozygote model: pooled OR=1.23, 95% CI: 0.77-1.95, heterozygote model: pooled OR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.97-1.35, dominant model: pooled OR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.97-1.34 and recessive model: pooled OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.64-1.56). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity, source of controls and genotyping method showed no significant increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. TSA results need further investigation with a large sample size to certify such association. Conclusions: This meta-analysis study suggested no significant association between TNF-ɑ-308G/A polymorphism and the risk of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengming Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,China
| | - Ke Wei
- Department of Thoracic surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhiqiang Qin
- Department of Urology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chuchu Shao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,China
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,China
| | - Hua Shen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,China
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Pentimalli F, Grelli S, Di Daniele N, Melino G, Amelio I. Cell death pathologies: targeting death pathways and the immune system for cancer therapy. Genes Immun 2018; 20:539-554. [PMID: 30563970 PMCID: PMC6451632 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-018-0052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the molecular mechanisms of cell death are a common feature of cancer. These alterations enable malignant cells to survive intrinsic death signalling leading to accumulation of genetic aberrations and helping them to cope with adverse conditions. Regulated cell death has historically been exclusively associated with classical apoptosis; however, increasing evidence indicates that several alternative mechanisms orchestrate multiple death pathways, such as ferroptosis, entosis, necroptosis and immunogenic cell death, each with distinct underlying molecular mechanisms. Although pharmacological targeting of cell death pathways has been the subject of intensive efforts in recent decades with a dominant focus on targeting apoptosis, the identification of these novel death pathways has opened additional venues for intervention in cancer cells and the immune system. In this mini-review, we cover some recent progress on major recently emerged cell death modalities, emphasizing their potential clinical and therapeutic implications. We also discuss the interplay between cell death and immune response, highlighting the potential of the combination of traditional anticancer therapy and immunocheckpoint blockade. While attempting to stimulate discussion and draw attention to the possible clinical impact of these more recently emerged cell death modalities, we also cover the major progress achieved in translating strategies for manipulation of apoptotic pathways into the clinic, focusing on the attempts to target the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and the tumour suppressor p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pentimalli
- Centro Ricerche Oncologiche Mercogliano (CROM), Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS -Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, P.O. Box 138, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Ivano Amelio
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, P.O. Box 138, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
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Role of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines and TNF-α promoter variability in Plasmodium vivax infection during pregnancy in endemic population of Jharkhand, India. Mol Immunol 2018; 97:82-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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