Defining the role of lymphotoxin alpha in experimental cerebral malaria

疟疾每年导致数百万儿童死亡。死亡的一个主要原因是由恶性疟原虫感染引起的脑型疟疾。目前，没有有效的疫苗，耐药寄生虫广泛存在。CM是一种严重的神经系统疾病，其特征是被感染的红细胞（iRBC）在脑血管中被隔离。这一事件被认为会引发一连串的炎症反应，最终导致脑损伤，往往导致死亡。导致iRBC在大脑中被隔离的因素尚不清楚。在这个项目中，我们将使用一个实验模型来定义疟疾期间脑血管发生的变化。将鉴定介导iRBC与脑血管结合的细胞和分子的身份。预计这项工作的结果将增加我们对大脑病理发展的理解，并确定调节以预防疾病的潜在目标。

Malaria kills millions of children every year. A major cause of death is cerebral malaria (CM) resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. At present, there is no effective vaccine available and drug-resistant parasites are widespread. CM is a serious neurological condition characterised by the sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBC) in cerebral blood vessels. This event is thought to initiate a cascade of inflammatory reactions that ultimately lead to cerebral damage and often death. The factors that cause the sequestration of iRBC in the brain are poorly understood. In this project, we will use an experimental model to define the changes that occur in the cerebral vessels during malaria. The identity of the cells and molecules that mediate the binding of iRBC to the blood vessels of the brain will be identified. It is anticipated that results from this work will increase our understanding of the development of pathology in the brain, as well as identify potential targets for modulation to prevent disease.