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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice
Published on: January 2, 2013
Detection of a new cerebral malaria susceptibility locus, using CBA mice
Tamio Ohno1, Masahiko Nishimura
1Division of Experimental Animals, Center for Promotion of Medical Research and Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. ohno@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Human cerebral malaria (CM) during acute Plasmodium falciparum infection is a serious neurological complication that leads to coma and death. P. berghei ANKA infection of CBA mice is a useful experimental model of CM. To identify host susceptibility loci, we performed chromosomal mapping in crossbred populations of both CM-susceptible CBA and CM-resistant DBA/2 mice. One significant region for a CM-susceptible locus in CBA mice was mapped to H2 region on Chromosome 17, tentatively designated cmsc. cmsc was mapped to a different chromosomal region from that previously reported in the C57BL/6 mouse model of CM. It is possible that different loci contribute to CM in CBA and C57BL/6 mouse strains. Comparison of the function of CM susceptibility loci between CBA and C57BL/6 mice could have important implications for the study of the complex pathogenesis of CM in humans.
Insights
Researchers mapped a key genetic region linked to cerebral malaria (CM) susceptibility in CBA mice. This finding, distinct from other models, aids understanding of human CM pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Human cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- The P. berghei ANKA mouse model is crucial for studying CM pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify host genetic loci associated with CM susceptibility.
- To compare CM susceptibility loci between different mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Chromosomal mapping was performed in crossbred CBA (susceptible) and DBA/2 (resistant) mice.
- A specific locus, cmsc, was mapped to the H2 region on Chromosome 17 in CBA mice.
Main Results:
- A significant CM susceptibility locus (cmsc) was identified in CBA mice.
- This locus was mapped to a different chromosomal region compared to the C57BL/6 mouse model.
- This suggests strain-specific genetic contributions to CM.
Conclusions:
- Different genetic loci may influence CM development in distinct mouse strains.
- Understanding these loci is vital for elucidating the complex pathogenesis of human CM.
