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Plasmodium chabaudi Infection Alters Intestinal Morphology and Mucosal Innate Immunity in Moderately Malnourished
Noah Joseph Murr1, Tyler B Olender1, Margaret R Smith1
1Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Appalachian State University, 572 Rivers St, Boone, NC 28608, USA.
Nutrients
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Malaria infection in moderately malnourished mice worsened gut damage and increased intestinal permeability. Despite reduced immune cells, remaining macrophages showed heightened activation, suggesting malaria exacerbates malnutrition-induced gut issues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Malaria and malnutrition are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting gut immunity.
- The interplay between malaria and malnutrition on gut physiology remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Plasmodium falciparum infection on the gut of moderately malnourished mice.
- To assess changes in mucosal tissue, gut permeability, and innate immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Induction of moderate malnutrition using a low protein, zinc, and iron-deficient diet in mice.
- Infection with Plasmodium falciparum.
- Analysis of mucosal tissue phenotype, intestinal permeability (FITC-Dextran assay), and immune cell populations (macrophages, myeloid cells, dendritic cells) and activation markers (MHCII, IFNγ).
Main Results:
- Infected malnourished mice exhibited lower parasite burden but increased intestinal permeability and damaged mucosal epithelial cells.
- Malaria infection led to shorter small intestines and reduced innate immune cell counts in the large intestine.
- Despite lower numbers, macrophages in the small intestine showed increased activation (MHCII expression, IFNγ production).
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium falciparum infection exacerbates gut abnormalities associated with moderate malnutrition.
- Malaria may worsen intestinal barrier dysfunction and alter immune cell dynamics in malnourished individuals.
