Le paludisme est responsable de la mort de près d'un million de personnes chaque année. Cette maladie est causée par le Plasmodium, parasite protozoaire appartenant à la famille des Apicomplexes. Dans cette thèse, nous avons développé des approches de biologie de systèmes pour l'étude du métabolisme des phospholipides (PL) métabolisme et de sa régulation chez Plasmodium. Ces voies métaboliques sont d'une importance primordiale pour la survie du parasite. À l'étape intra-érythrocytaire du développement, les espèces de Plasmodium exploitent un nombre important de voies de synthèse phospholipidique, qui sont rarement trouvées ensemble dans un seul organisme : (i) la voie dépendante ancestrale CDP-diacylglycerol des procaryotes ( ii) les voies eucaryotes de novo CDP- choline et CDP-éthanolamine (Kennedy) ( iii ) de plus P.falciparum et P. knowlesi emploient des réactions supplémentaires qui relient une à l'autre certaines de ces routes. Une voie de synthèse caractéristique aux plantes, qui utilise la sérine en tant que source supplémentaire de phosphatidyl-choline (PC) et de phosphatidyl-éthanolamine (PE), est nommée la voie méthyltransférase décarboxylase - phosphoéthanolamine sérine (SDPM). Pour comprendre la dynamique d'acquisition et le métabolisme des phospholipides chez Plasmodium, nous avons construit un modèle cinétique quantitatif basé sur des données fluxomiques. La dynamique in vitro d'incorporation de phospholipides révèle plusieurs voies de synthèse. Nous avons construit un réseau métabolique détaillé et nous avons identifié les valeurs de ses paramètres cinétiques (taux maximaux et constantes Michaelis). Afin d'obtenir une recherche globale dans l'espace de paramètres, nous avons conçu une méthode d'optimisation hybride, discrète et continue. Des paramètres discrets ont été utilisés pour échantillonner le cône des flux admissibles, alors que les constantes des Michaelis et les taux maximaux ont été obtenus par la minimisation locale d'une fonction objective. Cette méthode nous a également permis de prédire la répartition des flux au sein du réseau pour différents précurseurs métaboliques. Cette analyse quantitative a également été utilisée pour comprendre les liens éventuels entre les différentes voies. La principale source de PC est la voie Kennedy CDP-choline. Des expériences de knock-out in silico ont montré l'importance comparable des voies phosphoéthanolamine-N-méthyltransférase (PMT) et de la phosphatidyléthanolamine-N-méthyltransférase (PEMT) pour la synthèse de PC. Les valeurs des flux indiquent que plus grande partie de la PE dérivée de la sérine est formée par décarboxylation, alors que la synthèse de PS est majoritairement effectuée par des réactions d'échange de base. L'analyse de sensitivité de la voie CDP- choline montre que l'entrée de choline dans le parasite et la réaction cytidylyltransferase de la phosphocholine ont les plus grands co-efficients de contrôle sur cette voie, mais ne permet pas de distinguer une réaction comme l'unique étape limitante. Ayant comme objectif la compréhension de la régulation de l'expression génique chez Plasmodium falciparum et son influence sur le fonctionnement métabolique, nous avons effectué une étude bioinformatique intégrative des données du transcriptome et du métabolome pour les principales enzymes impliquées dans le métabolisme PL. L'étude de la dépendance temporelle des variables métaboliques et transcriptomiques au cours du cycle intra-érythrocytaire, a mis en évidence deux modes d'activation des voies PL. Les voies Kennedy sont activées pendant la phase schizogonique et au début de la phase anneau, alors que les voies SDPM et d'échange de bases sont activées lors de la fin de la phase anneau cycle et lors de la phase tropozoïte. / Malaria is responsible of the death of up to one million people each year. This disease is caused by Plasmodium, a protozoan parasite. In this thesis we have developed systems biology approaches to the study of phospholipid (PL) metabolism and its regulation in Plasmodium. These pathways are of primary importance for the survival of the parasite. At the blood stage, Plasmodium species display a bewildering number of PL synthetic pathways that are rarely found together in a single organism (i) the ancestral prokaryotic CDPdiacylglycerol dependent pathway (ii) the eukaryotic type de novo CDP-choline and CDPethanolamine (Kennedy) pathways (iii) P. falciparum and P. knowlesi exhibits additional reactions that bridge some of these routes. A plant-like pathway that relies on serine to provide additional PC and PE, is named the serine decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (SDPM) pathway. To understand the dynamics of PL acquisition and metabolism in Plasmodium we have used fluxomic data to build a quantitative kinetic model. In vitro incorporation dynamics of phospholipids unravels multiple synthetic pathways. A detailed metabolic network with values of the kinetic parameters (maximum rates and Michaelis constants) has been built. In order to obtain a global search in the parameter space, we have designed a hybrid, discrete and continuous, optimisation method. Discrete parameters were used to sample the cone of admissible fluxes, whereas the continuous Michaelis and maximum rates constants were obtained by local minimization of an objective function.The model was used to predict the distribution of fluxes within the network of various metabolic precursors. The quantitative analysis was used to understand eventual links between different pathways. The major source of phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the CDP-choline Kennedy pathway. In silico knock-out experiments showed comparable importance of phosphoethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PMT) and phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT) for PC synthesis. The flux values indicate that, major part of serine derived phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is formed via serine decarboxylation, whereas the phosphatidylserine (PS) is mainly predominated by base-exchange reactions. Metabolic control analysis of CDP-choline pathway shows that the carrier-mediated choline entry into the parasite and the phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase reaction have the largest control coefficients in this pathway, but does not distinguish a reaction as an unique rate-limiting step.With a vision to understand regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum and its influence on the metabolite expression, we have performed an integrative bioinformatic studies. The study integrates transcriptome and metabolome data for the main enzymes involved in PL metabolism. The study of the correlated time dependence of metabolic and transcriptomic variables during the intraerythrocytic cycle showed that there are two modes of activation of PL pathways. Kennedy pathways are activated during schizogony and early ring stages, whereas SDPM and base exchange pathways are activated during late ring and tropozoite stages.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit haben wir unter Nutzung bioinformatischer Methoden eine innovative Strategie zur Eindämmung der Malaria entwickelt. Die genetische Modifikationsstrategie beinhaltet sowohl Manipulationen aufseiten des gefährlichsten Erregers, Plasmodium falciparum, als auch des Hauptvektors, Anopheles gambiae. In den Genomen beider Spezies wurden eine Reihe neuer konkreter targets identifiziert. Auch bereits beschriebene targets und Ansätze wurden in die Strategie einbezogen bzw. weiter ausgestaltet. Bezüglich der Vektormoskitos wird die Verbreitung eines gegenüber Plasmodien resistenten Genotyps angestrebt. Es werden einerseits effiziente natürliche und künstliche Resistenzgene diskutiert und andererseits eine bekannte Strategie zur Fixierung natürlicher Resistenzallele in natürlichen Populationen verbessert. Auf der Seite der Plasmodien erweiterten wir einen bereits von A. Burt (2003) beschriebenen Eradikationsansatz um weitere targets. Aus ethischen und evolutionsbiologischen Erwägungen bevorzugen wir jedoch eine alternative Strategie, welche die Etablierung von in ihrer Virulenz gemilderten Parasiten zum Ziel hat. Der attenuierte Genotyp wird unter anderem durch komplexe Pathway-Remodellierungen beschrieben (Löwe, Sauerborn, Schirmer, Dandekar, A refined genome engineering strategy against parasites and vectors, Manuskript beim Journal „Genome Biology“ eingereicht). Da sich Mutanten in der Natur gegen Wildtyp-Organismen kaum durchsetzen können, werden zwei drive-Systeme beschrieben, welche für die Implementierung der genetischen Manipulationsstrategie entwickelt wurden. Beide Konstrukte wurden zur Patentierung angemeldet (Patentanmeldung U30010 DPMA bzw. Aktenzeichen 102006029354.1). Zusätzlich zur deutschen wurde für eines der beiden Konstrukte eine PCT-Anmeldung eingereicht, welche in Zukunft einen internationalen Patentschutz ermöglichen soll. Es werden Kalkulationen vorgelegt, welche die Verbreitungstendenzen der Konstrukte in natürlichen Populationen vorhersagen. Die Beschreibung der entwickelten Konstrukte beschränkt sich nicht auf das primäre Anwendungsgebiet der Arbeit (Malaria), sondern beinhaltet auch andere Anwendungsgebiete, vor allem im Bereich der Medizin und Molekularbiologie. / Background: Gene drive strategies are an important alternative to control tropical diseases such as malaria. Results: Here we introduce a new gene drive strategy based on gene conversion constructs. We identify a gene drive strategy both for plasmodia and for anopheles including design of an inducible modification vector. Our constructs are based on group II introns or homing endonuclease genes. They include besides the intron to modify vector or parasite genome sites inducible promoters for gene activation. We thus separate gene modification from activation of the modified gene. Moreover, we provide a detailed list of suitable targets in vector and plasmodia for the modification strategy. Finally, we discuss the control effect of an eradication strategy versus a mild strategy of the gene construct for vector and parasite populations. Conclusions: A new eukaryotic vector and parasite control strategy using gene drive systems is presented and discussed.

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, FR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICINE. / The influence of iron on the outcome of various infections have been extensively reviewed. Clinical observations suggests that iron deficiency may be protective against malaria. Various researchers have shown that certain iron chelators blocked the proliferation of plasmodium falciparum in vitro and in vivo. (Abbreviation abstract) / Andrew Chakane 2018

O Antígeno 1 de Membrana Apical (AMA-1) tem sido sugerido como candidato a compor uma vacina contra estágios assexuados sanguíneos de Plasmodium. Recentemente nosso grupo identificou o domínio II (DII) de AMA-1 de Plasmodium vivax (PvAMA-1) como uma região altamente reconhecida por anticorpos IgG de indivíduos brasileiros infectados por P. vivax. No presente estudo avaliamos as propriedades imunogênicas da proteína recombinante DII, produzida a partir de Escherichia coli. Grupos de 6 camundongos fêmeas BALB/c foram imunizados quatro vezes com 10 µg dessa proteína na presença de diferentes formulações de adjuvantes [Adjuvante Completo/Incompleto de Freund (ACF/AIF), MPL-TDM, TiterMax, Hidróxido de Alumínio (Alum), Quil A, QS-21 e CpG-ODN 1826], individualmente, ou em combinação (Alum + QS-21 ou Alum + CpG-ODN 1826)). Nosso objetivo foi avaliar comparativamente a resposta de anticorpos (IgM, IgG e isotipos de IgG), induzida pelos diferentes esquemas de imunizações, visando futuros estudos pré-clínicos em primatas não humanos. Os títulos de anticorpos IgG contra (o ectodomínio) PvAMA-1 foram determinados por ELISA, duas semanas após cada imunização. A presença de IgM e dos isotipos de IgG também foi avaliada após o final do esquema de imunizações. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a proteína recombinante DII foi altamente imunogênica em camundongos BALB/c quando administrada na presença dos adjuvantes testados. Altos títulos de IgG1, IgG2a e IgG2b foram observados na maioria dos grupos (com exceção do adjuvante Alum), sugerindo uma resposta mista Th1/Th2. Finalmente, demonstramos que anticorpos monoclonais e policlonais anti-DII reconheceram a proteína nativa expressa na superfície de merozoítas de P. vivax, por imunofluorescência. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostraram que a proteína recombinante o domínio II de PvAMA-1 (DII) foi imunogênico em camundongos BALB/c quando administrado na presença das diferentes formulações de adjuvantes testadas, sugerindo que esse antígeno possa ser utilizado como uma vacina de subunidade contra a malária vivax. / The Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA-1) has been considered a malaria vaccine candidate against asexual blood stages of Plasmodium. Recently, we identified the domain II (DII) of Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 (PvAMA-1) as a region highly recognized by IgG antibodies from Brazilian individuals infected by P. vivax. In the present study, we evaluated the immunogenic properties of a bacterial recombinant PvAMA-1 DII. Groups of 6 female BALB/c were immunized four times with 10 µg of recombinant protein in the presence of different adjuvant formulations [Complete/Incomplete Freunds Adjuvant (CFA/IFA), MPL-TDM, TiterMax, Aluminum hydroxide (Alum), Quil A, QS-21, CpG-ODN 1826] separately or in combination (Alum + QS-21 or Alum + CpG-ODN 1826). Our goal was to compare the antibody response (IgM, IgG and IgG subclass) induced by different protocols of immunization aiming at future pre-clinical studies in non-human primates. The IgG antibody titers against PvAMA-1 were determined by ELISA two weeks after each immunizing dose. The presence of IgM and IgG subclass were evaluated after the end of immunizations schedule. We found that the recombinant DII was highly immunogenic in BALB/c mice when administered in the presence of all adjuvant tested. High titers of IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b were observed in all groups (except for Alum adjuvant), suggesting a mixed Th1/Th2 response. Finally, we demonstrated that monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against DII recognized the native protein expressed on the P. vivax merozoite surface parasites by immunofluorescence. Together, our data demonstrated that the recombinant PvAMA-1(DII) was immunogenic in mice when administered in different adjuvant formulations, suggesting that this protein can be used as part of a sub-unit vaccine against malaria vivax.

O avanço no desenvolvimento de uma vacina contra o Plasmodium vivax exige a identificação de antígenos capazes de induzir uma resposta imune protetora contra a malária. O presente estudo avalia o potencial da proteína-3 da superfície de merozoítos de P. vivax (PvMSP-3), como candidata a vacina. As proteínas recombinantes representando a região C-terminal da MSP-3α e diferentes regiões (N e C-terminal e proteína inteira) da MSP-3β de P. vivax foram utilizadas como antígeno. A imunogenicidade destas proteínas recombinantes foi avaliada em camundongos BALB/c, utilizando adjuvantes agonistas de TLR (flagelina FliC de Salmonella Typhimurium e CpG ODN) ou adjuvantes convencionais, tais como hidróxido de alumínio, saponinas, TiterMax Gold e adjuvante incompleto de Freund. Os títulos de anticorpos IgG foram determinados por ELISA utilizando soros de camundongos coletados duas semanas após cada dose de imunização. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a MSP-3α e a MSP-3β foram capazes de induzir altos títulos de anticorpos em camundongos na presença de diferentes adjuvantes, incluindo agonistas de TLR. Dentre as formulações testadas, aquelas contendo os adjuvantes CPG ODN 1826, Quil A, TiterMax e adjuvante incompleto de Freund foram mais imunogênicas e, portanto, mais promissoras para os ensaios pré-clínicos em primatas não-humanos. Usando camundongos TLR-4 KO, nós demonstramos que a proteína MSP-3β tem uma propriedade adjuvante intrínseca que é independente do TLR4 e que a contaminação por LPS na proteína purificada não desempenha qualquer papel no nosso sistema. / The advance in the development of a vaccine against Plasmodium vivax requires the identification of immunodominant antigens able to induce a protective immune response against malaria. The present study evaluates the potential of the Merozoite Surface Protein 3 of P. vivax (PvMSP-3) as vaccine candidate. Recombinant proteins representing the C-terminal region of MSP-3α and different regions of MSP-3β (N and C-terminal and full-length protein) of P. vivax were used as antigen. The immunogenicity of these recombinants was evaluated in BALB/c mice using as adjuvant TLR agonists (FliC flagellin of Salmonella Typhimurium and CpG motif-containing DNA) or conventional adjuvants such as Aluminum hidroxide, Saponins, TiterMax Gold and Incomplete Freund\'s Adjuvant. The IgG antibodies were determined by ELISA in sera from mice two weeks after each immunizing dose. Our results demonstrated that MSP-3α and MSP-3β were able to induce high antibody titres in mice in the presence of different adjuvants, including TLR agonists. Among the tested formulations, the adjuvants CPG ODN 1826, Quil A, TiterMax and Incomplete Freund\'s Adjuvant were more immunogenic, therefore more promising for pre-clinical trials in non-human primates. Using TLR-4 KO mice, we demonstrated that the MSP-3β protein has an intrinsic adjuvant property that is independent of TLR4 and that contaminating LPS in the purified protein did not play any role in our system.

A malária asociada à gavidez pode gerar complicações para a mãe e para o feto. Receptores do tipo Toll (TLR) TLR2, TLR4 e TLR9, podem reconhecer componentes do Plasmódio. Estes receptores sinalizam via proteína MyD88. Contudo existem poucos dados sobre os TLR na malária placentária. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar o papel dos TLR2, 4, 9 e da MyD88 na malária placentária. Dentre fêmeas C57BL/6, TLR2-/-, TLR9-/- e MyD88-/-, a linhagem MyD88-/- apresentou maiores níveis de parasitemia, sobrevivência e cuidado parental, e ainda placentas de fêmeas MyD88-/- infectadas, ao contrario das TLR2-/- e TLR9-/-, não tiveram diminuição do espaço vascular em relação aos controles. Animais C57BL/6 infectados apresentaram aumento do mRNA de IL1-<font face=\"Symbol\">b e IL-6 na placenta, o que não ocorreu nos MyD88-/-. Gestantes C57BL/6 e MyD88-/- infectadas tiveram mais esplenócitos, com expansão preferencial de linfócitos B (CD19+). Também foi evidenciado nos animais C57BL/6 infectados um aumento da expressão do marcador de ativação CD69 nos linfócitos TCD8+. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem que a sinalização via MyD88 é importante para o desenvolvimento da malária placentaria e esta pode estar relacionada com a resposta inflamatória exacerbada induzida pelo parasita. / Pregnancy associated malaria can lead to complications both for the mother and the fetus. Toll like receptors (TLR) TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 can recognize components of the Plasmodium sp. These receptors signal through the MyD88 protein. However there are few data on TLR in placental malaria. Thus, The objective of this work was to study the role of TLR2, 4, 9 and MyD88 in placental malaria. Among female mice C57BL/6, TLR2-/-, TLR9-/- and MyD88-/-, the lineage MyD88-/- showed higher levels of parasitemia, survival and parental care, and still placentas of MyD88-/- infected female, differently of TLR2-/- and TLR9-/-, had no decrease in the vascular space compared to controls. Animals C57BL/6 infected showed increased mRNA for IL1-<font face=\"Symbol\">b and IL-6 in the placenta, which did not occur in MyD88-/-. Pregnant infected C57BL/6 and MyD88-/- had more splenocytes, with preferential expansion of B lymphocytes (CD19+). in infected C57BL/6 was also demonstrated an increased expression of the activation marker CD69 on CD8+ T lymphocytes. Together, these results suggest that signaling through MyD88 is important for the development of placental malaria and this may be related with an increased inflammatory response induced by the parasite.

O parasita Plasmodium falciparum causa a forma mais grave da malária humana.Para evadir a resposta imune do hospedeiro, as formas assexuadas do parasita podem usar variação antigênica ou podem se diferenciar em formas sexuais como estratégia para sobreviver e garantir a sua transmissão para o mosquito.A base molecular desses processos ainda é pouco compreendida. Por manipulação genética, nos identificamos a participação de um fator de transcrição da família ApiAP2 ( PF3D7_1143100), no controle da transcrição de genes variantes e no desenvolvimento em formas sexuais na fase intraeritrocítica. Demonstramos ainda que um outro membro desta família, PF3D7_1466400, não é essencial no ciclo assexual de P. falciparum, já que seu silenciamento não afeto o normal desenvolvimento do parasita. / The parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of human malaria. To evade the host immune response, asexual parasite forms can employ antigenic variation or differentiation to gametocytes as a means to survive and secure their transmission to the mosquito. The molecular basis behind these processes is still poorly understood. By genetic manipulation, we indentified the participation of a ApiAP2 transcription factor, PF3D7_1143100, in the control of variant gene transcription as well as in the switching from asexual to sexual development in the intraerythrocytic stage. We also demonstrate that the ApiAP2 transcription factor PF3D7_1466400 is not essential in the asexual stage of P. falciparum, since its knockdown did not affect the normal development of the parasite.

Foi feito o estudo da Bromélia-Malária no Brasil, e de acordo com os dados disponíveis foi reconstituída a distribuição geográfica e evidenciada a incidência dessa enfermidade entre nós. Para o levantamento do estado atual dispusemos de dados inéditos referentes a São Paulo e a Santa catarina, nestes últimos, englobados também os referentes ao Rio Grande do Sul. Pudemos verificar que nessas áreas em diferentes estágios de erradicação, São Paulo, cujo plano de erradicação quase concluído, luta para não ser restabelecida a transmissão, e Santa Catarina, ainda com uma grande parte a ser concluída, luta não só para interromper a transmissão nas áreas ainda maláricas, como para não ser restabelecida, ou mesmo estabelecida a transmissão nas áreas não maláricas. / Actualized data about Bromelia-Malaria in Brazil, are presentedthrough a reconstituted geographic distribution and new records about the disease incidence. New data are related to São Paulo and Santa Catarina States, including the ones belonging to Rio Grande do Sul. There are several areas in different erradication stages. In São Paulo, it is almost concluded and struggle is against the menace of a transmission restablishment. At other places there are a quite different picture because the transmission in malaria areas but also for to avoid its introduction in disease - cleaned ones.

IntroduçãoMalária é um grande problema de saúde pública em diferentes regiões do mundo, notadamente nos países em desenvolvimento, causando um milhão de mortes anuais, principalmente em crianças e em mulheres grávidas. No Brasil 99,7% dos casos de malária ocorrem na região amazônica. Objetivos-Estimar a incidência da malária durante a gravidez, descrever as características sociodemográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais e os efeitos da malária sobre a mãe e o concepto. Metodologia-Estudo transversal, realizado com gestantes em processo de abortamento ou de parto e seus conceptos, na maternidade do município de Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, janeiro a dezembro de 2009. Aplicado questionário, coletado sangue da mãe, placenta e cordão umbilical e do recém-nascido para avaliar a existência de Plasmodium, e quantificação. Histologia da placenta foi realizada. Resultados - Incluídas no estudo 1870 grávidas, incidência da malária de 8,7%. Idade variou de 12 a 48, média de 23 anos, grau de instrução foi de 5 a 8 anos de estudo (43,3%), 1277 (71,4%) eram do lar e 966 (51,7%) procedentes da zona rural. Plasmodium vivax e parasitemia até uma cruz foi mais freqüente. Anemia na mãe foi o efeito mais importante. Quanto ao baixo peso ao nascer, aborto e prematuridade não foram significativos. Nenhum caso de malária congênita. Presença de alterações histológicas nas placentas infectadas com ambas as espécies. Conclusões Incidência da malária entre as gestantes do município de Cruzeiro do Sul foi de 8,7% e taxa de infecção na placenta de 5,6%. Anemia materna foi o efeito mais importante. / Introduction - Malaria a great problem of public health is considered in different areas of the world, happening mainly at the underdeveloped countries, determiming million annual deaths, mainly in children and in pregnant women. In Brazil, 99,7% of malaria occurs in Amazonica region. Objective-Estimate the incidence of the malaria during the pregnancy, describing the characteristics sociodemográficas, clinics and laboratory and estimate effects of the malaria on the mother and the concepto. Methodology - Study transverse, with pregnant women in abortion process or of childbirth and their conceptos in the maternity of the district of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil, of January to December of 2009. Applied standardized questionnaire, collection of bloods samples the mother\'s, placenta and umbilical cord and also of the newly born to evaluate species and parasitic quantification. Histologia of the placenta was colection. Results - It was included in the study 1870 women pregnancy, incidence of the malaria of 8,7% . Age that varied from 12 to 48, average 23 years, instruction degree around 5 to 8 years of study (43,3%), 1277 (71,4%) they are of the home and 966 (51,7%) coming from the rural area. Plasmodium vivax and parasitemia until a cross was the most frequent. Low birth weight, prematurity and miscarriage were not significant. Anemia in the mother was the most important effect. No cases congenital malaria. Histological alterations in the placenta were found in both species. Conclusion Incidence of malaria in pregnant women of the district of Cruzeiro do Sul, were of 8,7% and infection taxes in the placenta around 5,6%. Anemia in the mother was the most important effect.

A síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) e a malária placentária (MP) são complicações da malária, cujos mecanismos imunopatogênicos pouco compreendidos. Neste trabalho, mostramos que camundongos MyD88-/- e Casp1/11-/- não desenvolveu SDRA, morrendo devido ao quadro de anemia severa associada à hiperparasitemia. Posteriormente, demonstrou-se que, embora a patogênese da doença dependa do inflamassoma AIM2, não depende dos inflamassomas NLRP3 e NLRC4 e do eixo IL1. Em uma segunda etapa do projeto foi mostrado que a progressão da PM são decorrentes da ativação das vias de sinalização TLR4/9/MyD88, mas não do TLR2. Ademais, evidenciou-se a participação dos inflamassomas NLRP3 e AIM2, porém não do NLRC4, nesse processo. Por fim, os dados obtidos sugerem que a ativação dessas vias culmina com a liberação de IL-1&#946; que, ao agir em seu receptor, inibe a expressão de transportadores de aminoácidos e glicose, com consequente disfunção do desenvolvimento do feto em camundongos grávidas com MP. Em conclusão, este trabalho apresenta, pela primeira vez, uma associação entre a ativação da via MyD88 e dos inflamassomas pelo plasmódio e a progressão da SDRA e MP. / Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and placental malaria (PM) are complications of the malaria, whose the immunopathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. In that study we showed that MyD88-/- and Casp 1/11-/- mice did not develop ARDS, dying due to severe anemia associated to hyperparasitemia. Subsequently, it was been shown that although such mechanism depends on the AIM2 inflammasome, it does not depend on the NLRP3 and NLRC4 inflammasomes and the IL-1 axis. In a second stage of the project, it should be noted that those complications are due to the activation of the TLR4/9/MyD88 signaling pathways, but not the TLR2. In addition, the participation of the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammosomes, but not the NLRC4 was shown in that process. Finally, the data suggest that the activation of these pathways culminates with the release of the IL-1&#946; which acts on its receptor inhibiting the amino acid expression and glucose transporters with a consequent dysfunction in the fetal development of pregnant mice with MP. In conclusion, this work makes for the first time an association between the MyD88 pathway activation and inflammasomes by plasmodium and the progression of the ARDS and MP.