The Association between Genetic Polymorphisms of Heme Oxygenase-1, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Α (TNF-Α), and Malaria Severity in Different Ethnic Group of Patients

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Jiraporn Kuesap
Kenji Hirayama
Mihoko Kikuchi
Ronnatrai Ruangweerayut
Kesara Na-Bangchang

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in several countries in the
world. The knowledge on pathogenesis of severe malaria particularly cerebral malaria
remains controversial and debatable. Heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme has been proposed as
one of the factors that may play significant role in pathogenesis including susceptibility and
severity of malaria infection. TNF-α is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and
macrophages in many inflammatory diseases. The polymorphisms of the TNF promoter have
been reported to be associated with susceptibility to severe malaria. In this study, we
analyzed (GT)n repeat polymorphism in the promoter region of the inducible HO-1 and six
mutations of TNF-α from malaria patients (Thais, Burmeses and Karens), to determine the
association between genetic polymorphisms of HO-1, TNF-α and severity of malaria
infection. Our result indicated that the genotype of (GT)n repeat between ethnic group of
patients was significantly different.

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Section
2010 Annual Meeting Abstracts/Lectures