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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Lower expression of TLR2 and SOCS-3 is associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection and with lower risk for allergic reactivity in children living in a rural area in Ghana
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 2, No. 4, Article e227, Year 2008
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Description
Background: Helminth infections are prevalent in rural areas of developing countries and have in some studies been negatively associated with allergic disorders and atopy. In this context little is known of the molecular mechanisms of modulation involved. We have characterized the innate immune responses, at the molecular level, in children according to their helminth infection status and their atopic reactivity to allergens. Methodology/Principal Findings: The mRNA expression of several genes of the innate immune system that have been associated with microbial exposure and allergy was examined in 120 school children in a rural area in Ghana. Helminth infections were common and atopy rare in the study area. The analysis of gene expression in ex vivo whole blood samples reflected the levels of corresponding proteins. Using this approach in a population of school children in whom the presence of Schistosoma haematoblum infection was associated with protection from atopic reactivity, we found that the level of TLR2 and SOCS-3, genes associated with atopy in the children, were significantly downregulated by presence of S. haematobium infection. Conclusions: S. haematobium infections modulate the expression of genes of the innate immune system (TLR2 and SOCS-3); these are genes that are associated with increased allergic inflammatory processes, providing a molecular link between the negative association of this infection and atopy in rural children in Ghana. © 2008 Hartgers et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Hartgers, Franca C.
Unknown Affiliation
Obeng, Benedicta Baffoah
Unknown Affiliation
Kruize, Yvonne C.M.
Unknown Affiliation
Duijvestein, Marjolijn
Unknown Affiliation
de Breij, Anna
Unknown Affiliation
Amoah, Abena Serwaa
Unknown Affiliation
Larbi, Irene A.
Unknown Affiliation
Van Ree, Ronald
Unknown Affiliation
Wilson, Michael David
Unknown Affiliation
Rodrigues, Laura Cunha
Unknown Affiliation
Boakye, Daniel Adjei
Unknown Affiliation
Yazdanbakhsh, Maria M.
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 36
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0000227
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Ghana