<p>The current research is directed towards dissection of host genetic factors involved in host immune response and the malaria disease outcome. A possible association between FcγRIIa polymorphism and anti-malarial antibody (A.M.A) responses were investigated in Sudanese patients in relation to clinical outcome of falciparum malaria. The frequency of the R/R131 genotype was significantly higher in patients with severe malaria as compared with mild malaria. A.M.A IgG3 was shown to be associated with reduced risk of clinical malaria in individuals carrying the H/H131 genotype. Low levels of IgG2 reactive with the Pf332-C231 antigen were associated with lower risk of severe malaria in individuals carrying the H131 allele. </p><p>Fulani and Masaleit, two sympatric ethnic groups in Sudan, are characterized by marked differences in susceptibility to falciparum malaria. We investigated whether the two populations differ in the frequency of GM/KM allotypes. The distribution of GM/KM phenotypes differed significantly among the two groups, with Gm 6 being significantly lower among the Fulani, and the combined frequency of Km 1,3 and Gm 1,17 5,6,13,14 phenotypes was found to be higher among Masaleit.</p><p> In interethnic study we investigated whether the two groups differ in the frequency of FcγRIIa and HbAS genotypes. The frequency of the H/H131, R/R13 and HbAS genotypes differed significantly among the two groups. Moreover, the Fulani showed higher levels of A.M.A IgG2 and lower IgG1 and IgG3 when compared to their sympatric non-Fulani neighbours.</p><p>A tri-allelic SNP (C/T/A) in the CRP gene was investigated for possible ethnic associations. The A allele, which is associated with higher basal CRP levels, was found to be less frequent in the Fulani compared with non-Fulani ethnic groups both in Sudan and Mali. </p><p>In conclusion, our results suggest possible associations between FcγRIIa, CRP genotypes, GM/KM allotypes, and anti-malarial antibody responses and the clinical outcome of falciparum malaria.</p>

The current research is directed towards dissection of host genetic factors involved in host immune response and the malaria disease outcome. A possible association between FcγRIIa polymorphism and anti-malarial antibody (A.M.A) responses were investigated in Sudanese patients in relation to clinical outcome of falciparum malaria. The frequency of the R/R131 genotype was significantly higher in patients with severe malaria as compared with mild malaria. A.M.A IgG3 was shown to be associated with reduced risk of clinical malaria in individuals carrying the H/H131 genotype. Low levels of IgG2 reactive with the Pf332-C231 antigen were associated with lower risk of severe malaria in individuals carrying the H131 allele. Fulani and Masaleit, two sympatric ethnic groups in Sudan, are characterized by marked differences in susceptibility to falciparum malaria. We investigated whether the two populations differ in the frequency of GM/KM allotypes. The distribution of GM/KM phenotypes differed significantly among the two groups, with Gm 6 being significantly lower among the Fulani, and the combined frequency of Km 1,3 and Gm 1,17 5,6,13,14 phenotypes was found to be higher among Masaleit. In interethnic study we investigated whether the two groups differ in the frequency of FcγRIIa and HbAS genotypes. The frequency of the H/H131, R/R13 and HbAS genotypes differed significantly among the two groups. Moreover, the Fulani showed higher levels of A.M.A IgG2 and lower IgG1 and IgG3 when compared to their sympatric non-Fulani neighbours. A tri-allelic SNP (C/T/A) in the CRP gene was investigated for possible ethnic associations. The A allele, which is associated with higher basal CRP levels, was found to be less frequent in the Fulani compared with non-Fulani ethnic groups both in Sudan and Mali. In conclusion, our results suggest possible associations between FcγRIIa, CRP genotypes, GM/KM allotypes, and anti-malarial antibody responses and the clinical outcome of falciparum malaria.

In malaria endemic regions, resistance to malaria constitutes a critical selective pressureon genetic polymorphisms that regulate immune defense and inflammatory pathways.Differences in malaria susceptibility between sympatric ethnic groups have been described inMali. The Fulani are less susceptible to malaria compared to the neighboring group the Dogon,in spite of similar socio-economic and environmental conditions. Paper I is focused on IL-4-590 T/C polymorphism and correlation with levels of malariaspecific IgG, IgG (1-4) subclasses as well as malaria specific and total IgE level in the two ethnicgroups. Our data show that the Fulani individual carrying the IL-4-590 T allele found to havehigher parasite carriage rate and had higher levels of malaria-specific IgG4 and IgE compared tothe individual carrying the C allele. No such differences were seen within the Dogon.Paper II investigated 166 SNPs in the human host in individuals belonging to the Fulani and theDogon ethnic groups. These SNPs were correlated with total IgG against AMA-1, MSP-1, MSP-2 and CSP antigens as well as total IgE level. All antibody levels were higher in the Fulanicompared to the Dogon and strengthens previous finding that antibodies might play a role in theprotection seen in the Fulani. We identified higher frequencies of the protective blood group O.Several allelic differences between the two ethnic groups were found in CD36, IL-4, RTN3 andADCY9. Moreover several polymorphisms in SLC22A4, IRF1, IL5, LTA and TNF have beenfound to be correlated with anti-MSP antibody level; TLR6, IL3, TNF, and IL22 found to becorrelated with anti-MSP-2 antibody level in the Fulani. Such association was not seen in theDogon. In Paper III, the same individuals, as in paper II, were investigated with a focus on the FcγRIIapolymorphism and correlation with levels of anti-AMA-1, MSP-1, MSP-2, CSP specificantibodies as well as total IgE level. The genotype distribution and allele frequency weresignificantly different between the Fulani and the Dogon with the Fulani being HH, H allele- andthe Dogon RR, R allele carriers. A correlation between the HH genotype and the H allele andprotection against mild malaria was seen in the Fulani but not in the DogonTaken together our study has found significant genetic differences between the Fulani and theDogon Ethnic groups, which suggest that ethnicity should be taken into account in monitoring ofimmunological studies and vaccines trials in malaria endemic areas.

Membrane rafts are highly dynamic heterogeneous sterol- and sphingolipid-rich micro-domains on cell surfaces. They are generally believed to provide residency for cell surface molecules (e.g., adhesion and signaling molecules) and scaffolding to facilitate the functions of these molecules such as membrane trafficking, receptor transport, cell signaling, and endocytosis. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy and reflection interference microscopy (RIM), we studied the spatial and temporal distributions of membrane rafts and surface receptors, signaling molecules, and cell organelles during the formation of phagocytic contact areas. K562 cells, which naturally express CD32A, a cell surface receptor for the Fc portion of Immuno-globulin g (IgG), was chosen as a model for neutrophils. An opsonized target was modeled using a glass supported lipid bilayer reconstituted with IgG. CD32A was found to cluster and co-localize with membrane rafts. Placing the K562 cells on the lipid bilayer triggered a process of contact area formation that includes binding between receptors and ligands, their recruitment to the contact area, a concurrent membrane raft movement to and concentration in the contact area, and transport of CD32A, IgG, and membrane rafts to the Golgi complex. Characterization of these processes was performed using agents known to disrupt detergent resistant membranes (DRMs), dissolve actin microfilaments, and inhibit myosin motor activity, which abolished the CD32A clusters and prevented the contact area formation. The relevance to phagocytosis of contact area formation between K562 cells and lipid bilayers was demonstrated using micro-beads coated with a lipid bilayer reconstituted with IgG as the opsonized target instead of the glass supported planar lipid bilayer. Disruption of membrane rafts, salvation of the actin cytoskeleton, and inhibition of myosin II activity were found to inhibit phagocytosis. Here we have provided evidence that membrane rafts serve as platforms that are used to pre-cluster CD32A and transport CD32A along the actin cytoskeleton to the site of phagocytic synapse formation, followed by internalization to the Golgi complex.