Official Title
Genomic Approaches to Dissect Human Host-pathogen Interactions in the Amazonian Rainforest
Brief Title
Genomic Approaches to Dissect Human Host-pathogen Interactions in the Amazonian Rainforest
Protocol ID
NCT05981378
Lead Sponsor
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Brief Summary
This observational study, aims to characterize with a multi-omic approach, the impact of
host genetics and the pathogenic environment on immune response variation in Native
Amazonians in comparison with Mestizo Amazonian, a severely underrepresented population
in genomic studies.
Various samples will be taken from the participants, including blood, urine, saliva, etc.
From the blood sample, peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be obtained and will give
us information about the differences between immune response variation of Amazonian
population. From the other samples we will be able to obtain additional information on
the risk factors related to the difference in the immune response of the participants.
Detailed Description
The Amazon rainforest is characterized by adverse climatic conditions and a great
diversity of pathogenic microorganisms that, consequently, would generate a selective
pressure on the human immune response with a high impact on mortality. Some of the best
characterized examples of human genetic adaptation have been related to infections; for
example, the alleles causing sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and malaria. In addition,
the introduction of infectious diseases from the "old world" during Spanish colonization
in the 15th century and the urbanization of the last few centuries in the Amazon has also
generated rapid adaptation that could drive variation in immune response. However, the
evolutionary mechanisms that contributed to the adaptation of human defense against the
aforementioned phenomena and events in this region are poorly understood. For this
reason, studying these human genetic mechanisms in native populations would allow us to
identify new genes that would be associated with resistance to infections, and also to
explore the signs of rapid adaptation to the environment to which Amazonian populations
have been exposed throughout their history.
We propose to study the variation of the immune system in Amazonian populations, studying
together the degree of diversity with different approaches: genomic, epi-genomic and
transcriptomic of the host and viral exposome, taking into consideration sociodemographic
characteristics and comorbidities, which may shape the immune response. This study will
provide new insights into variants in the human genome that affect the immune response,
thereby increasing our understanding of the etiology and susceptibility to immune-related
diseases, mainly tropical infectious diseases. Because human genetic studies are
underrepresented in Native American populations, the knowledge gained would reduce the
existing inequality in health knowledge between Native and non-Native populations.
Study Period
-
Enrollment Count
300 participants
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- People over 18 years of age who agree to participate in the study and sign the
informed consent
- People whose parents and grandparents were born in the Peruvian Amazon.
- For volunteers from native communities, whose parents and grandparents belong to the
same native community.
Exclusion Criteria:
- People who do not wish to have 40 mL of blood taken
- People who are passing through a febrile illness (fever during the last 5 days to
the date of enrollment).
- Pregnant women
- People over 65 years old
- Breastfeeding women.
Filters
Host-Pathogen Interactions
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT