Autoimmunity, phospholipid-reacting antibodies and malaria immunity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Autoimmunity

Background:

• The role of autoantibodies (AAb) in malaria infection is not fully understood.
• Autoimmune diseases (AID) involve AAb that may interact with Plasmodia antigens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if AAb from AID recognize Plasmodia antigens and have anti-parasitic effects.
• To determine if malaria-induced phospholipid antibodies inhibit inflammation and protect against severe malaria.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of sera from patients with AID for AAb reactivity against Plasmodia.
• In vitro assessment of AAb inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth.
• Correlation of anti-glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) antibodies with malaria infection status and parasitemia.

Main Results:

• AAb against dsDNA, ssDNA, ANA, actin, cardiolipin (aCL), and erythrocyte membrane antigens recognized Plasmodia antigens.
• Monoclonal AAb, including phospholipid-specific ones, inhibited P. falciparum growth in vitro.
• No link between anti-GPI antibodies and asymptomatic malaria, but a correlation with parasitemia was observed.

Conclusions:

• Autoimmune responses involving various AAb specificities, including phospholipid, may possess anti-plasmodial activity and offer protection against malaria.
• The specific role of anti-parasitic phospholipid antibodies in malaria protection and their impact on patients prone to AID require further investigation.