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Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells
Published on: January 3, 2012
Plasmodium coatneyi-infected erythrocytes bind to C32 amelanotic melanoma cells under static and flow conditions
Satoru Kawai1, Masahiro Yoshinari, Jun Matsumoto
1Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Abstract:
The ability of Plasmodium coatneyi-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) to bind to C32 amelanotic melanoma cells was examined under static and physiologic flow conditions in vitro. Six blood samples obtained from P. coatneyi-infected Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) with severe manifestations of disease were used in the static adhesion assay. All blood samples constantly exhibited binding of IRBCs to C32 cells under static conditions. Immunofluorescence staining with anti-CD36 mAb revealed a positive reaction at the surface of C32 cells with the infected erythrocytes, while the reaction with C32 cells without IRBCs was negative. To further examine the specificity of the interaction between P. coatneyi-infected erythrocytes and C32 cells, we carried out the binding assay under physiological flow conditions. In flow adhesion assay, three blood samples were used. Adhesion and rolling of IRBCs on C32 cells were detected at several rates of shear stress under flow conditions. At a shear stress of 1.0 dyne/cm(2), the number of IRBCs adherent to C32 cell averaged 5 to 6, and the number of IRBCs rolling on C32 cells averaged 6 to 11. The anti-CD36 mAb OKM5 inhibited 75-100% of IRBC adhesion and rolling, while the inhibitory effect of anti-ICAM-1 mAb 84H10 varied between 20-40%. The combination of anti-CD36 and anti-ICAM-1 mAb resulted in 83-100% inhibition of rolling and 100% inhibition of adhesion. These findings suggest that CD36 is one of the principal adhesion receptors of P. coatneyi-infected erythrocytes.
Insights
Plasmodium coatneyi-infected red blood cells bind to melanoma cells, with CD36 identified as a key adhesion receptor. This interaction was observed under both static and physiological flow conditions, highlighting its biological significance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Plasmodium coatneyi infection in Japanese macaques causes severe disease.
- Understanding the mechanisms of infected red blood cell adhesion is crucial for disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding of Plasmodium coatneyi-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) to C32 amelanotic melanoma cells.
- To identify the specific adhesion molecules involved in this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Static and physiological flow adhesion assays using IRBCs and C32 cells.
- Immunofluorescence staining with anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody (mAb).
- Inhibition assays using anti-CD36 and anti-ICAM-1 mAbs.
Main Results:
- IRBCs demonstrated binding to C32 cells under static conditions.
- Adhesion and rolling of IRBCs on C32 cells were observed under physiological flow.
- Anti-CD36 mAb significantly inhibited IRBC adhesion and rolling (75-100%).
- Anti-ICAM-1 mAb showed partial inhibition (20-40%).
Conclusions:
- CD36 is a principal adhesion receptor for Plasmodium coatneyi-infected erythrocytes.
- CD36-mediated adhesion plays a significant role in the interaction between IRBCs and melanoma cells.

