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Resistance to Falciparum malaria in α‐thalassemia, oxidative stress, and hemoglobin oxidation
Author(s) -
DestroBisol Giovanni,
D'ALOJA Ernesto,
Spedini Gabriella,
Scatena Roberto,
Giardina Bruno,
Pascali Vincenzo
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199906)109:2<269::aid-ajpa11>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - malaria , plasmodium falciparum , thalassemia , biology , oxidative stress , adaptation (eye) , erythrocyte membrane , hemoglobin , beta thalassemia , immunology , genetics , computational biology , biochemistry , neuroscience , membrane
A recent survey conducted on Vanuatu Island suggests that resistance to Plasmodium falciparum in α‐thalassemic individuals may have an immunological basis. This study is important since it seems to undermine the current idea that red‐cell genetic defects give protection against falciparum malaria by reducing intraerythrocytic growth and development of the parasite. However, the mechanisms underlying these clinical and genetic observations are not yet fully understood. Based on a review of the relevant literature, we first show that the model based on the interaction between hemoglobin (Hb) and membrane components may provide a molecular basis for the involvement of the immune response in genetic adaptation to malaria. Second, we discuss the main evolutionary implications of the model. Finally, we suggest two approaches by which anthropological studies could provide a useful way of testing the model: 1) analysis of the interactions of malaria‐resistance genes with genetic polymorphisms which affect the erythrocyte redox status and 2) study of the antimalarial effects of natural products (introduced as a part of a diet or for traditional antimalarial therapy) capable of interfering with the Hb/membrane interaction. Am J Phys Anthropol 109:269–273, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.