Role of MyD88-adaptor-like (MAL) gene polymorphism rs8177374 and the levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β) in various malaria manifestations upon P. falciparum and P. vivax infections

This study investigated the role of genetic variant rs8177374 in MAL/TIRAP gene in mediating the cytokine levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β in malaria patients due to P. falciparum or P. vivax infection. The study included human blood samples of malaria patients (n=228) and healthy controls (n=226). P. falciparum and P. vivax groups were established based on the causative species of Plasmodium. Malaria samples were divided into mild and severe malaria groups based on symptoms appeared in patients as per WHO criteria. In previous study, we genotyped rs8177374 via allele specific PCR based strategy. In this study, cytokines levels were estimated from blood plasma of samples of genotypes of rs8177374 via Sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits. Increased levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in presence of CC genotype indicates the role of CC genotype in both severe malaria and mild malaria groups. Enhanced levels of IL-10 in CT genotype and mild malaria group suggest the role of CT genotype and IL-10 in mild clinical outcomes of malaria. rs8177374 polymorphism of MAL/TIRAP gene has important role in malaria pathogenesis.