Evidence for the Involvement of VAR2CSA in Pregnancy-associated Malaria

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20041579
• Publication Date: 2004-11-02T16:52:52Z
• Authors: Ali Salanti; Madeleine Dahlbäck; Louise Turner; Morten A. Nielsen; Lea Barfod; Pamela Magistrado; Anja T.R. Jensen; Thomas Lavstsen; Michael F. Ofori; Kevin Marsh; Lars Hviid; Thor G. Theander
• Keywords: Parity (physics)

In Plasmodium falciparum-endemic areas, pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is an important health problem. The condition precipitated by accumulation of parasite-infected erythrocytes (IEs) in the placenta, and this process mediated parasite-encoded variant surface antigens (VSA) binding to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). Parasites causing PAM express unique VSA types, VSAPAM, which can be serologically classified as sex specific parity dependent. It because men from malaria-endemic areas do not develop VSAPAM antibodies; it dependent women acquire anti-VSAPAM immunoglobulin (Ig) G a function parity. Previously, was shown that transcription var2csa up-regulated placental parasites selected for CSA binding. Here, we show following: (a) VAR2CSA expressed on CSA-selected IEs; (b) recognized endemic plasma sex-specific parity-dependent manner; (c) high anti-VAR2CSA IgG levels found pregnant both West East Africa; (d) with give birth markedly heavier babies have much lower risk delivering low weight children than levels.