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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
Gene-expression profiling discriminates between cerebral malaria (CM)-susceptible mice and CM-resistant mice
Nicolas F Delahaye1, Nicolas Coltel, Denis Puthier
1Laboratoire de Pharmacogenetique des Maladies Parasitaires-EA864, Universite de la Mediterranee-IFR48, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
The development of cerebral malaria (CM) in mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection is under genetic control. Brain gene-expression patterns were investigated in well-defined genetically CM-resistant (CM-R; BALB/c and DBA/2) and CM-susceptible (CM-S; C57BL/6 and CBA/J) mice by use of cDNA microarrays. By combining transcriptional profiling with rigorous statistical methods and cluster analysis, we identified a set of 69 genes that perfectly discriminated between mouse strains and between CM-R and CM-S mice. The analysis of gene ontological terms revealed that the genes that clustered and were related to susceptibility to CM preferentially belonged to some biological process classes, such as those pertaining to immune responses. Using a false discovery rate of 5% and the Welch t test, we identified 31 genes with consistent differential expression between CM-R and CM-S mice. These data indicate that microarray analysis may be useful for identification of candidate genes that are potentially responsible for resistance or susceptibility to mouse CM and suggest that candidate genes identified in mice could be specifically tested in humans for an association with disease severity.
Insights
Genetic control influences cerebral malaria (CM) development in mice. Gene expression analysis identified key genes linked to CM resistance and susceptibility, offering insights for human disease severity studies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) development in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA is genetically determined.
- Understanding the genetic basis of CM susceptibility is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain gene-expression patterns in genetically CM-resistant and CM-susceptible mouse strains.
- To identify candidate genes associated with resistance or susceptibility to mouse CM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cDNA microarrays for transcriptional profiling in defined mouse strains (BALB/c, DBA/2, C57BL/6, CBA/J).
- Applied rigorous statistical methods, including cluster analysis and Welch t test with a 5% false discovery rate.
- Combined transcriptional profiling with gene ontology analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified 69 genes that perfectly discriminated between mouse strains and CM resistance/susceptibility.
- Discovered 31 genes with consistently differential expression between CM-resistant and CM-susceptible mice.
- Gene ontology analysis indicated immune response-related genes are linked to CM susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Microarray analysis is a valuable tool for identifying candidate genes in mouse CM.
- Candidate genes identified in mice warrant further investigation for association with human CM severity.
