2022•The Journal of Infectious DiseasesOpen access
Transcriptome Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Isolates From Benin Reveals Specific Gene Expression Associated With Cerebral Malaria
Émilie Guillochon, Jérémy Fraering, Valentin Joste, Claire Kamaliddin, Bertin Vianou, Ludivine Houzé, Laura G. Baudrin, Jean‐François Faucher, Agnès Aubouy, Sandrine Houzé, Michel Cot, Nicolas Argy, Olivier Taboureau, Gwladys Bertin, NeuroCM group, Jules Alao, Dissou Affolabi, Bibiane Biokou, Jean-Eudes Degbelo, Philippe Deloron, Latifou Dramane, Sayeh Jafari‐Guemouri, Anaïs Labrunie, Yélé Ladipo, Thomas Lathiere, Achille Massougbodji, Audrey Mowendabeka, Jade Papin, Bernard Pipy, Pierre‐Marie Preux, Marie Raymondeau, Jade Royo, Darius Sossou, Brigitte Techer
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Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is the severest form of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Children under 5 years old are those most vulnerable to CM, and they consequently have the highest risk of malaria-related death. Parasite-associated factors leading to CM are not yet fully elucidated. We therefore sought to characterize the gene expression profile associated with CM, using RNA sequencing data from 15 CM and 15 uncomplicated malaria isolates from Benin. Cerebral malaria parasites displayed reduced circulation times, possibly related to higher cytoadherence capacity. Consistent with the latter, we detected increased var genes abundance in CM isolates. Differential expression analyses showed that distinct transcriptome profiles are signatures of malaria severity. Genes involved in adhesion, excluding variant surface antigens, were dysregulated, supporting the idea of increased cytoadhesion capacity of CM parasites. Finally, we found dysregulated expression of genes in the entry into host pathway that may reflect greater erythrocyte invasion capacity of CM parasites.
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