The malaria parasite has co-evolved with its human host as each organism struggles for resources and survival. The scars of this war are carried in the human genome in the form of polymorphisms that confer innate resistance to malaria. Clinical, epidemiological and genome-wide association studies have identified multiple polymorphisms in red blood cell (RBC) proteins that attenuate malaria pathogenesis. These include well-known polymorphisms in haemoglobin, intracellular enzymes, RBC channels, RBC surface markers, and proteins impacting the RBC cytoskeleton and RBC morphology. A better understanding of how changes in RBC physiology impact malaria pathogenesis may uncover new strategies to combat the disease.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922454 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.14886 | DOI Listing |
J Vis Exp
January 2025
Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London;
Erythropoiesis, a remarkably dynamic and efficient process responsible for generating the daily quota of red blood cells (approximately 280 ± 20 billion cells per day), is crucial for maintaining individual health. Any disruption in this pathway can have significant consequences, leading to health issues. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 25% of the global population presents symptoms of anemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFASEB J
January 2025
Department of Blood Transfusion, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Hemolytic anemia (HA) is characterized by massive destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) and insufficient oxygen supply, which can lead to shock, organ failure, even death. Recent studies have preliminarily demonstrated the therapeutic effectiveness of whole blood exchange (WBE) in the management of acute hemolytic anemia and exhibited potential for reducing the duration of corticosteroid treatment, while the underlying mechanism of WBE therapy was not investigated in preclinical study. Hence, we investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of WBE in HA through established continued WBE therapy in rats creatively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnesthesiology
January 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: Tranexamic acid is an anti-fibrinolytic agent routinely used during hip and knee joint replacement surgery to minimize bleeding. Chronic kidney disease is a common chronic health problem seen among adults requiring major arthroplasty surgery. Tranexamic acid is renally cleared and may accumulate in chronic kidney disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHematology
December 2025
Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) Hekinan is a prevalent α-globin variant frequently missed in thalassemia screening centers using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or capillary electrophoresis. This study aims to investigate the hematological and molecular characteristics of Hb Hekinan in a large cohort.
Methods: Hb variants were identified using isoelectric focusing (IEF) and HPLC.
The severity of COVID 19 symptoms has a direct correlation with lymphopenia, affecting natural killer (NK) cells. SARS-CoV-2 specific "memory" NK cells obtained from convalescent donors can be used as cell immunotherapy. In 2022 a phase I, dose-escalation, single center clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the infusion of CD3/CD56 NK cells against moderate/severe cases of COVID-19 (NCT04578210).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!