Lack of an association between antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositols and malaria-associated placental changes in Cameroonian women with preterm and full-term deliveries.
Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum parasites within the placenta often leads to an accumulation of macrophages within the intervillous space and increased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine associated with placental pathology and poor pregnancy outcomes. P. falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors have been shown to be the major parasite component that induces TNF-alpha production by monocytes and macrophages. Antibodies against P. falciparum GPI (anti-PfGPI), however, can inhibit the induction of TNF-alpha and inflammation. Thus, the study was undertaken to determine whether anti-PfGPI antibodies down-regulate inflammatory-type changes in the placentas of women with malaria. Anti-PfGPI immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels were measured in 380 pregnant women with or without placental malaria, including those who delivered prematurely and at term. Results showed that anti-PfGPI antibody levels increased with gravidity and age and that malaria infection boosted anti-PfGPI antibodies in pregnant women. However, no association was found between anti-PfGPI antibodies and placental TNF-alpha levels or the presence of acute or chronic placental malaria. Furthermore, anti-PfGPI antibody levels were similar in women with preterm and full-term deliveries and were not associated with an increase in infant birth weight. Thus, these results fail to support a strong role for anti-PfGPI antibodies in the prevention of chronic placental malaria infections and malaria-associated poor birth outcomes.
Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20057, USA.
Amorsolo L
AL
Suguitan
D Channe
DC
Gowda
Genevieve
G
Fouda
Lucy
L
Thuita
Ainong
A
Zhou
Rosine
R
Djokam
Simon
S
Metenou
Rose G F
RG
Leke
Diane Wallace
DW
Taylor
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002163:Cameroon; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000276:immunology*; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000276:immunology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha