Scientists have explained how the world could benefit from a rare gene that makes some Kenyans resistant to malaria infection.
Kenyans with the rare Dantu genetic blood variant cannot get sick with severe malaria because their red blood cells have a tighter surface that prevents malaria parasite from invading.
Scientists say they can design drugs that mimic this process, and effectively offer up to 70 per cent protection against malaria infection.
In contrast, the world’s only malaria vaccine—called R,TSS—offers just 35 per cent protection.
Dr Silvia Kariuki of Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi explained how the Dantu gene protects people naturally against malaria.
The malaria parasites utilise a specific 'lock-and-key' mechanism to infiltrate human red blood cells and multiply inside the cells, then burst out every few days.
A person gets the malaria symptoms — cyclical fevers and chills — when this process takes place. But the Dantu variant prevents entry into the red blood cells.
“The Dantu variant actually slightly increases the tension of the red blood cell surface. It's like the parasite still has the key to the lock, but the door is too heavy for it to open," she said in a statement.
Researchers suggested that it may be possible to develop drugs that tighten the surface of red blood cells artificially.
“The explanation for how Dantu protects against malaria is potentially very important. The red cell membrane only needs to be slightly more tense than usual to block malaria parasites from entering,” said Dr Viola Introini, of the University of Cambridge, who participated in the study.
“Developing a drug that emulates this increased tension could be a simple but effective way to prevent or treat malaria,” she added.
Dr Introini said this would depend on the increase in cell tension not having unintended consequences.
“But evidence from the natural protection already seen in Dantu people, who don't seem to suffer negative side effects, is promising."
The Dantu gene variant is found only in East Africa and in about 10 per cent of people in Kenya, mostly at the Coast.
The new findings are published in the Nature journal by scientists at the Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge.
The other best known natural protection against malaria is the sickle cell, mostly found in Western Kenya, which protects people against malaria but is responsible for the spread of sickle-cell anaemia.
Malaria still remains one of the top 10 causes of death in Kenya, and a leading killer of children under five. The prevalence has remained high, with an incidence of up to 27 per cent among under-fives, especially in the Lake Victoria region, where the condition is endemic.
The Dantu was first discovered in Kilifi in 2017 when scientists collected red blood cell samples from 42 healthy children in Kilifi.
Edited by F'Orieny
