The levels of CD16/Fcγ receptor IIIA on CD14+ CD16 + monocytes are higher in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum anemia than in children with cerebral or uncomplicated malaria

Lilian A. Ogonda, Alloys S.S. Orago, Michael F. Otieno, Christine Adhiambo, Walter Otieno, José A. Stoute

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fc gamma receptor IIIA (CD16/FcγRIIIA) on monocytes/macrophages may play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe malarial anemia (SMA) by promoting phagocytosis of IgG-coated uninfected red cells and by allowing the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) upon cross-linking by immune complexes (ICs). However, not much is known about the differential expression of this receptor on monocytes of children with severe malaria and uncomplicated malaria. Therefore, we investigated the expression of CD16/FcγRIIIA on monocytes of children with SMA, cerebral malaria (CM), and their age-matched uncomplicated malaria controls by flow cytometry. Since CD14low (CD14+) monocytes are considered more mature and macrophage-like than CD14high (CD14++) monocytes, we also compared the level of expression of CD16/FcγRIIIA according to the CD14 level and studied the relationship between CD16/FcγRIIIA expression and intracellular TNF-α production upon stimulation by ICs. CD16/FcγRIIIA expression was the highest overall on CD14+ CD16+ monocytes of children with SMA at enrollment. At convalescence, SMA children were the only ones to show a significant decline in the same parameter. In contrast, there were no significant differences among groups in the expression of CD16/FcγRIIIA on CD14++ CD16+ monocytes. A greater percentage of CD14+ CD16+ monocytes produced TNF-α upon stimulation than any other monocyte subset, and the amount of intracellular TNF-α correlated positively with CD16/FcγRIIIA expression. Furthermore, there was an inverse correlation between hemoglobin levels and CD16/FcγRIIIA expression in children with SMA and their controls. These data suggest that monocytes of children with SMA respond differently to Plasmodium falciparum infection by overexpressing CD16/FcγRIIIA as they mature, which could enhance erythrophagocytosis and TNF-α production.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2173-2181
Number of pages9
JournalInfection and Immunity
Volume78
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The levels of CD16/Fcγ receptor IIIA on CD14+ CD16 + monocytes are higher in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum anemia than in children with cerebral or uncomplicated malaria'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this