Cerebral malaria is associated with low levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in african children

Ben Gyan, Bamenla Quarm Goka, George O. Adjei, John K.A. Tetteh, Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi, Anastasia Aikins, Daniel Dodoo, Martin L. Lesser, Cristina P. Sison, Sanchita Das, Marion E. Howard, Elizabeth Milbank, Kimberly Fischer, Shahin Rafii, David Jin, Linnie M. Golightly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Damage to the cerebral microvasculature is a feature of cerebral malaria. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are needed for microvascular repair. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that the failure to mobilize sufficient circulating endothelial progenitor cells to the cerebral microvasculature is a pathophysiologic feature of cerebral malaria. To test this hypothesis, we compared peripheral blood levels of CD34+/VEGFR2+ and CD34+/CD133+ cells and plasma levels of the chemokine stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1) in 214 children in Accra, Ghana. Children with cerebral malaria had lower levels of CD34+/VEGFR2 + and CD34+/CD133+ cells compared with those with uncomplicated malaria, asymptomatic parasitemia, or healthy controls. SDF-1 levels were higher in children with acute malaria compared with healthy controls. Together, these results uncover a potentially novel role for endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in the pathophysiology of cerebral malaria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-546
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume80
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2009

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cerebral malaria is associated with low levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in african children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this