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Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells
10:09

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: January 3, 2012

Pathophysiology of cerebral malaria: role of host cells in the modulation of cytoadhesion

Samuel C Wassmer1, Valéry Combes, Georges E Grau

  • 1Unité de Parasitologie Expérimentale, EA 3282, IFR 48, Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, Université de la Méditerranée, F-13 385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Platelets play a critical role in severe cerebral malaria (CM) pathogenesis. They enhance infected erythrocyte adhesion to brain vessels and may mediate parasite sequestration, contributing to CM severity in humans.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pathology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Cerebral malaria (CM), a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, involves infected erythrocyte sequestration in brain microvasuclar beds.
  • Pathogenesis mechanisms are unclear, but parasite sequestration, metabolic issues, and immune responses are implicated.
  • Murine models suggest host cells, particularly platelets, contribute to CM pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria.
  • To determine if platelets influence infected erythrocyte cytoadhesion in the brain.

Main Methods:

  • Immunostaining of brain samples from Malawian patients (CM vs. non-CM deaths).
  • In vitro cytoadhesion assays using CD36-binding infected erythrocytes (IEs) and endothelial cells (ECs).
  • Coincubation studies with platelets and IEs on CD36-deficient ECs.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher platelet accumulation and vessel occupancy in CM patient brains compared to controls.
  • Platelets induced strong IE binding to CD36-deficient ECs in vitro.
  • Platelets can mask or provide alternative adhesion receptors for IEs.

Conclusions:

  • Platelets are implicated in the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria.
  • Platelets may facilitate infected erythrocyte sequestration by providing novel adhesion mechanisms.
  • This platelet-mediated cytoadhesion mechanism could be crucial in severe malaria.

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