Inmunómica, genética y proteómica de la malaria humana.Descubrimiento de biomarcadores de diagnóstico y tolerancia en zonas endémicas de África

Abstract

Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, is one of the infectious diseases with greatest public health impact in developing regions. Its clinical manifestations are highly diverse ranging from severe and life-threatening malaria to subclinical malaria, characterised by low levels of parasitaemia and absence of symptoms. Two main factors influence infection severity. First, the development of adaptive immunity, which is gradually acquired over the years by repeated exposures to the parasite, results in a vulnerability state for children under 5 years of age. Secondly, human evolutionary adaptation, including positive selection of certain genetic polymorphisms that confer tolerance to malaria in endemic regions. From this standpoint, the identification of biomarkers of tolerance to malaria, both immunological and genetic, to identify targets of immune protection and diagnosis of the infectious state, is a scientific goal to contribute to the elimination of this disease.Malaria control in endemic countries is still facing the lack of sensitive and affordable diagnostic systems and effective vaccines. Thus, the identification of immunogenic Plasmodium antigens is also a major goal in the fight against malaria, as it would increase the collection of candidate molecules for vaccine design and improved diagnostic tests. To date, most studies have focused on the discovery of antigens recognised by IgG. However, although IgM also has diagnostic advantages and its protective role has been demonstrated, IgM-recognised Plasmodium antigens remain overlooked...