The role of inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of malaria during pregnancy: effects and mechanisms

Abstract

Malaria is a serious parasitic disease that affects about 500 million people annually. In endemic regions, malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a major cause of maternal and infant mortality. The severity of the disease may be explained by the fact that placenta is an appropriated environment to the development of subpopulations of parasites, and by the immune profile developed by pregnant women infected with Plasmodium. The Nod-like receptors (NLRs) and Toll like receptors (TLR) have been correlated with the recognition of structures present in the Plasmodium, and with the mediation of inflammatory response against the parasite that is responsible for generating many of deleterious effects of infection. Although in recent years many studies have defined the clinical manifestations of malaria during pregnancy, the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with the immune response are not understood. The aim of this project is to study the effects and immunological mechanisms involved in MiP related to the inflammasomes. For this purpose, we will use an experimental model that mimics the situation observed in areas of stable transmission, which was developed by our group. The understandings of these processes are important for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for treatment of malaria during pregnancy. (AU)