Genome mapping of malaria resistance genes: the host ligands of PfEMP1

Thesis

Erythrocytes infected by mature forms of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite adhere to other components of the vascular space, a behavior considered critical to the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Adhesion is mediated by the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), a highly variant antigen expressed by the parasite and subject to switching during the course of an infection. The host ligands of PfEMP1 include CD36, ICAM-1 and the ABO antigens. By employing a seri...

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Authors: Fry, A

• Publication date: 2009-09-07
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: cytoadherence; candidate gene; genetic epidemiology; positive selection; human evolution; PfEMP1; ABO; extended haplotype homozygosity; CD36; genetic association; severe malaria; ICAM1; linkage disequilibrium
• Subjects: Epidemiology; Cerebral malaria; Genetics (medical sciences); Malaria; Medical Sciences; Infectious diseases; Paediatrics