Role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and CD11b in pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria in mice

Malaria is one of transmittable diseases caused by Plasmodium spp. infection. Severe malaria, including cerebral malaria can lead to deaths. Involvement of cytokines and other molecular markers have been shown in development of cerebral malaria signs.The aims of the present study is to determine the effect of Plasmodium berghei ANKA to the HIF-1α and CD11b expressions, and the correlation between HIF-1α CD11b with cerebral malaria symptoms in mice model. C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups, control group and group that was infected by Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Parasitemia and clinical score were observed until 7th day, then brains were collected and stained by immunohistochemistry to determine HIF-1α and CD11b expression in both groups.The HIF-1α and CD11b expressions were observed under 1000x magnification in light microscope.There was a significant differences between each group (p=0.001) of HIF-1α expression in response to Plasmodium bergheiANKA infection. In contrast, there were no differences on CD11b expression in response to P. berghei ANKA infection (p=0.096).There was no correlation between the expression of HIF-1α and CD11b (r=0.220) in mice with cerebral malaria. In conclusion, Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection enhanced HIF-1α expression but not CD11b due to the variability of microglia in the brain.