Publication: Nuclear factor kappa B modulates apoptosis in the brain endothelial cells and intravascular leukocytes of fatal cerebral malaria
Issued Date
2013
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eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Malaria Journal. Vol.12, (2013), 260
Suggested Citation
Chuchard Punsawad, Yaowapa Maneerat, Urai Chaisri, Kwannan Nantavisai, Parnpen Viriyavejakul Nuclear factor kappa B modulates apoptosis in the brain endothelial cells and intravascular leukocytes of fatal cerebral malaria. Malaria Journal. Vol.12, (2013), 260. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/2805
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Title
Nuclear factor kappa B modulates apoptosis in the brain endothelial cells and intravascular leukocytes of fatal cerebral malaria
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Abstract
Background: Cerebral malaria (CM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum is known to be associated with the
sequestration of parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) in the microvasculature and the release of soluble cytokines. In
addition, the involvement of signaling molecules has gained wide interest in the pathogenesis of CM. An important
signaling factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is known to regulate apoptosis. This work aimed to study the
expression of NF-κB p65 and its correlation with apoptosis in the brain of fatal CM.
Methods: The expression of NF-κB p65 and cleaved caspase-3 in the brain of fatal P. falciparum malaria cases was
investigated by immunohistochemistry. Histopathological features were analysed together with the correlations of
NF-κB p65 and cleaved caspase-3 expression.
Results: NF-κB p65 activation and cleaved caspase-3 expression were significantly increased in the neurons, glial
cells, vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and intravascular leukocytes of the brain in fatal CM, compared with the
control brain (p < 0.001) and non-cerebral malaria (NCM) (p = 0.034). The percentage of neurons that expressed
nuclear NF-κB p65 showed a positive correlation with the total score of histopathological changes (rs = 0.678;
p = 0.045). Significant positive correlations were established between vascular ECs NF-κB index and ECs apoptotic
index (rs = 0.717; p = 0.030) and between intravascular leukocytes NF-κB index and leukocytes apoptotic index
(rs = 0.696; p = 0.037) in fatal CM.
Conclusions: This study documented that NF-κB p65 is one of the signaling factors that modulates apoptosis in
the brain ECs and intravascular leukocytes of fatal CM.