Systems approach identifies monocyte imbalance in symptomatic and asymptomatic P. vivax malaria.

ABSTRACT: Although asymptomatic malaria was historically perceived as innocuous, emerging evidence revealed an immunosuppressive signature induced by asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections. To examine if a similar process occurs in Plasmodium vivax malaria, we pursued a systems approach, integrating transcriptional profiling together with previously reported and novel mass cytometry phenotypes from individuals with symptomatic and asymptomatic P. vivax malaria. Symptomatic P. vivax malaria featured upregulation of anti-inflammatory pathways and checkpoint receptors. A profound downregulation of transcripts with roles in monocyte function was observed in symptomatic P. vivax malaria. This reduction in monocyte transcriptional activity was accompanied by a significant depletion of CCR2⁺

SUBMITTER: Studniberg SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12583509 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature