Fig. 1

Gravidity-dependent changes in the expression of interferon pathway genes in placental malaria. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed on RNA purified from whole placental biopsies obtained within 30 min of delivery. Expression of IFN-β, MX-1, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF genes is shown. Ct values were normalized against the housekeeping gene GAPDH. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM of 2-ΔCt for each group. P-values were calculated by two-tailed student’s t-test with Bonferroni’s correction, comparing uninfected controls vs. placental malaria cases. Abbreviations: PG primigravida, MG multigravida, NS not significant; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01