The DARC Side of Inflammation: The DARC protein’s role as a chemokine scavenger during acute inflammatory processesThe Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines, or DARC, is a 7 member transmembrane protein predominantly expressed on erythrocytes that functions as a major regulator of inflammation due to its chemokine-binding capacity. Certain individuals lack the DARC protein and are said to be Duffy-null. Because the malaria parasite binds to the DARC protein in order to enter and infect erythrocytes, the Duffy-null phenotype is largely protective against malarial infection. This caused an increase in phenotype frequency so that 68% of African Americans today are Duffy-null. However, this has clinical implications on outcomes of inflammatory disease processes, such as Acute Lung Injury (ALI). Numerous research studies demonstrate that in states of ALI, Duffy-null individuals have significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality, even after adjusting for confounding variables. To further understand the role of DARC in these disease outcomes, the National Library of Medicine Pubmed.gov was reviewed for manuscripts regarding the Duffy-null phenotype and its impact on Acute Lung Injury. This led to novel implications regarding blood transfusions, which are a known trigger of ALI.Moscinski, Catherine NAuthorHeffernan, Daithi SAuthorBrown University. Alpert Medical School. Scholarly Concentration Program. Non-Scholarly Concentratorresearch programMembrane proteinsInflammationMortalityBlood--TransfusionLungs--DiseasesErythrocytes--TransfusionChemokinesMultiple organ failureRespiratory distress syndrome, AdultEnglish2020Non-Scholarly ConcentratorAll rights reserved10.26300/3h4t-k877