Fcγ receptor IIA and IIIB polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to cerebral malaria

• Published in: Parasitology international 2002-12, Vol.51 (4), p.361-366
• Main Authors: Omi, Kazuya, Ohashi, Jun, Patarapotikul, Jintana, Hananantachai, Hathairad, Naka, Izumi, Looareesuwan, Sornchai, Tokunaga, Katsushi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cerebral malaria; Fcγ RIIA; Fcγ RIIIB; Northwest Thailand; Severe falciparum malaria
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/S1383-5769(02)00040-5

Human Fcγ RIIA and Fcγ RIIIB exhibit genetic polymorphisms, Fcγ RIIA-131H/R and Fcγ RIIIB-NA1/NA2, coding for different capacities for IgG binding and phagocytosis. Recently, Fcγ RIIA-131R was reported to be associated with protection against high-density Plasmodium falciparum infection in Kenya. Furthermore, Fcγ RIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphism was shown to influence Fcγ RIIA function in an allele-specific manner. In this study, we examined a possible association of Fcγ RIIA-131H/R and Fcγ RIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphisms with malaria severity in 107 cerebral malaria patients, 157 non-cerebral severe malaria patients, and 202 mild malaria controls living in northwest Thailand. This study reveals that, with the Fcγ RIIIB-NA2 allele, the Fcγ RIIA-131H/H genotype is associated with susceptibility to cerebral malaria (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.14–3.01; P=0.012), although these polymorphisms are not individually involved in the disease severity. Our results suggest that Fcγ RIIA-131H/R and Fcγ RIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphisms have an interactive effect on host defense against malaria infection.