Malaria enhances expression of CC chemokine receptor 5 on placental macrophages.

Abstract

Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfections are common in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The current study shows that placentas of malaria-infected women contain 3 times as much CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) RNA as placentas of women without malaria. By immunohistochemistry, CCR5(+) maternal macrophages were seen in placentas from malaria-infected women but not in placentas from malaria-uninfected women. In addition, CCR5 also was found on fetal Hofbauer cells in placentas from both groups. Thus, malaria infections increase the potential reservoir for HIV in the placenta by increasing the number of HIV target cells.

• Authors: A N Tkachuk, A M Moormann, J A Poore, R A Rochford, S W Chensue, V Mwapasa, S R Meshnick
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 183 Issue 6 Pg. 967-72 (Mar 15 2001) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11237815 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CD4 Antigens
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, CCR5
• Receptors, Chemokine

Topics

• CD4 Antigens (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Female
• Fetus (immunology)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
• HIV Infections (transmission)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Macrophages (metabolism)
• Malaria (immunology)
• Placenta (immunology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic (immunology)
• RNA, Messenger (biosynthesis)
• Receptors, CCR5 (biosynthesis, genetics, immunology)
• Receptors, Chemokine (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Transcriptional Activation