Identification of genetic factors essential for the onset of cerebral malaria using the characteristics of mouse NC strains

The principal investigators discovered that cerebral malaria develops when mouse NC strain is infected with murine malaria parasite (P. berghei ANKA strain). Furthermore, we discovered that this strain has genetic characteristics that are clearly different from those of the conventional cerebral malaria-susceptible strain (B6 strain). Microarray analysis was performed this year. RNA was obtained from brains of B6 and NC strains. In order to more accurately identify genes that are universally involved in the onset of cerebral malaria, we added a CBA strain known as a susceptible strain of cerebral malaria. This study searched for genes with variable expression. As a result, 55 types of genes with more than 2-fold increase in expression and 2 types of genes with more than 2-fold decrease in expression were detected in all three lines. At least five of these genes (Igtp, Cxcl10, Gzmb, Tap1, Hmox1) have already been shown to be involved in the development of cerebral malaria through analysis of genetically modified mice, and are considered to be essential factors for the development of cerebral malaria. was taken. On the other hand, among the genes extracted in this study, there are genes whose relation to the onset of cerebral malaria is unknown, and it was thought that these genes may be novel genes involved in the onset of cerebral malaria. At present, the expression changes of the identified genes are being confirmed by qRT-PCR, and at the same time collecting functional information for genes whose relationship with the onset of cerebral malaria is unknown, and examining their relationship with the onset of cerebral malaria.

Project details

Basic Science

Apr 2020 — Mar 2024

$36,463

Japan