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Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice
Published on: January 2, 2013
Alterations in the Brain Transcriptome in Plasmodium Berghei ANKA Infected Mice
Mahalia S Desruisseaux1, Dumitru A Iacobas, Sanda Iacobas
1Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA ; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Journal of Neuroparasitology
|March 8, 2013
Summary
Cerebral malaria infection significantly alters brain gene expression in mice, affecting synaptic and cerebellar functions. This research identifies potential biomarkers for neurological complications of malaria.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cerebral malaria, a severe complication of Plasmodiium falciparum infection, has significant neurological consequences.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cerebral malaria pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection on gene expression profiles in the mouse brain.
- To identify genes and pathways affected by cerebral malaria that may serve as therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling using cDNA microarrays in brains of normal and infected mice.
- Quantitative analysis of gene expression ratios compared to a reference sample and controls.
- Statistical analysis to identify significantly upregulated and downregulated genes (P < 0.05, ≥ 50% fold change).
Main Results:
- Approximately 3% of nearly 12,000 quantified genes were significantly downregulated, and about 7% were upregulated in infected brains.
- Identified numerous regulated genes involved in normal brain function, synaptic activity, and cerebellar function.
- Observed alterations in genes associated with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease and autism.
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection profoundly impacts brain gene expression, affecting critical neurological functions.
- The identified gene expression changes highlight potential molecular pathways involved in cerebral malaria neuropathology.
- These findings suggest novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for mitigating the neurological sequelae of malaria.
