Expression of CD300lf by microglia contributes to resistance to cerebral malaria by impeding the neuroinflammation

Genes Immun. 2020 Jan;21(1):45-62. doi: 10.1038/s41435-019-0085-9. Epub 2019 Sep 10.

Abstract

Genetic mapping and genome-wide studies provide evidence for the association of several genetic polymorphisms with malaria, a complex pathological disease with multiple severity degrees. We have previously described Berr1and Berr2 as candidate genes identified in the WLA/Pas inbreed mouse strain predisposing to resistance to cerebral malaria (CM) induced by P. berghei ANKA. We report in this study the phenotypic and functional characteristics of a congenic strain we have derived for Berr2WLA allele on the C57BL/6JR (B6) background. B6.WLA-Berr2 was found highly resistant to CM compared to C57BL/6JR susceptible mice. The mechanisms associated with CM resistance were analyzed by combining genotype, transcriptomic and immune response studies. We found that B6.WLA-Berr2 mice showed a reduced parasite sequestration and blood-brain barrier disruption with low CXCR3+ T cell infiltration in the brain along with altered glial cell response upon P. berghei ANKA infection compared to B6. In addition, we have identified the CD300f, belonging to a family of Ig-like encoding genes, as a potential candidate associated with CM resistance. Microglia cells isolated from the brain of infected B6.WLA-Berr2 mice significantly expressed higher level of CD300f compared to CMS mice and were associated with inhibition of inflammatory response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Resistance / genetics
  • Disease Resistance / immunology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Malaria, Cerebral / genetics*
  • Malaria, Cerebral / metabolism
  • Malaria, Cerebral / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Microglia / physiology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*

Substances

  • CLM-1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Immunologic