Chagas’ disease and Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokine (DARC): a mini-review

Oliveira AP (1), Mattos LC (2), Cavasini CE (3)

(1) Masters Program in Health Sciences, São José do Rio Preto School of Medicine (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, São José do Rio Preto School of Medicine (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil; (3) Center for Investigation of Microorganisms, Department of Dermatologic, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, São José do Rio Preto School of Medicine (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Duffy gene (FY) codifies the transmembrane glycoprotein Duffy (gp-Fy) of 35 to 43 kDa which is moderately immunogenic. This glycoprotein is polymorphic, and constitutes the antigens of the Duffy histo-blood system which were designated receptors for chemokines and denominated DARC (Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokine). This receptor has an important role in the regulation of chemokine levels in the circulation, as it binds and adsorbs them on the surface of red cells as a reservoir. It plays a "sink" role, which can contribute to homeostasis by removing inflammatory chemokines from circulation as well as maintaining them in plasmatic levels. Chronic Chagas’ cardiopathy (CCC) is the most frequent form of the disease. It is an inflammatory disease, in which infiltrated inflammatory cells play an important role in the development and progress of the infection. High chemokine levels in the plasma have been associated with the disease severity in patients with heart failure. In this context, the profile of DARC expression could play an important function as a receptor for chemokines in Chagas’ disease, in patients with CCC, as it can modulate damage from this inflammatory disease.

Key words: DARC antigen, Duffy blood-group system, Chagas’ disease, Chagas’ cardiomyopathy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to the Microorganism Investigation Center of FAMERP for lending us its facilities and to The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for their financial support and for Amanda Priscila de Oliveira´s scholarship.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: April 6, 2011.

Accepted: June 2, 2011.

Abstract published online: June 7, 2011.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There are no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) provided the financial grant (process number 135436/2009-5).

CORRESPONDENCE TO

CARLOS EUGENIO CAVASINI, Centro de Investigação de Microorganismos, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil. Tel: +55 17 3201 5736. Email: cecavasini@yahoo.com.br.