HLA polymorphisms shape divergent outcomes of Toxoplasma and Plasmodium infection in Eastern Indian HbE/β-thalassemia cohort - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #Apicomplexan infections
- #HbE/β-thalassemia
- #HLA polymorphisms
- HLA-A*33 allele protects against Toxoplasma gondii infection in HbE/β-thalassemia patients, independent of transfusion frequency.
- Protection involves restricted intracellular parasite replication and enhanced CD8+ IFN-γ+ responses, linked to high binding affinity of HLA-A*33 with Toxoplasma antigen SAG2C.
- HLA-A*33 does not protect against Plasmodium falciparum; instead, HLA-C*07 shows potential negative association with Plasmodium infection in the same cohort.
- HLA-C*07 binds strongly to Plasmodium-specific MSP3 peptide but not to SAG2C, indicating pathogen-specific antigen recognition with minimal cross-reactivity.
- Findings suggest selective immune advantages from HLA polymorphisms may contribute to persistence of deleterious HbE/β-thalassemia genotypes in apicomplexan-endemic regions.