Cytokine-CpG Motif Oligodeoxynucleotide Co-Inoculation in BALB/c Mice Infected With Plasmodium berghei ANKA Strain

 

Barasa Mustafa, Ndeti Muia Cosmas, Wanjala Christine Ludwin, Ingonga Mwihwa Johnstone, Osero Bernard, Sarah Shinoko Muyonga, Wanyonyi Khakasa Mable, Frankline Tireito, Drinold Mbete, Kokonya Apollo Donald, Ozwara Suba Hastings, Zipporah Waithera Ng’ang’a, and Anjili Omukhango Christopher
 

 

Research Paper I Published December,2015

 

Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research Vol. 1 (10), pp. 145-161

 

ABSTRACT

Approximately 198 million cases of malaria manifested worldwide in 2013, causing 584,000 deaths, further solidifying malaria’s status as a serious global health predicament. A vast array of immunopotentiating molecules like unmethylated CpG motif oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) operate in concert with cytokines in rendering hosts resistant to parasitic infections. The CpG ODNs exert potent immunostimulatory effects via nexus with dendritic cell Toll-like receptors (TLRs) like TLR 9 and by activating immune cells like B-cells and NK cells. Investigations were performed to resolve the anti-malarial effects of cytokine-CpG ODN co-inoculation in BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. Two BALB/c mice groups were infected with virulent P. berghei ANKA strain parasites, followed by five consecutive days of cytokine-CpG ODN co-therapies. Six control groups with various regimen were included. Parasitaemia, and clinico-haematological outcomes accompanying the immunotherapies were quantified. Cytokine-CpG ODN interventions elicited antimalarial mechanisms involving lower peak parasitaemia, less dramatic parasitaemia trends and overall suppression of parasitaemia. Cytokine-CpG ODN co-administration also induced milder symptomatic sequelae in which lethargy, appetite distortion, convulsions and adverse clinico-haematological outcomes were repressed with ramifications in the potential of cytokine-CpG-based DNA therapy in counteracting malaria.

Key words: P. berghei ANKA, Parasitaemia, Malaria, BALB/c Mice, Cytokines, CpG Motif ODN.

Full Text-PDF