Parasite-induced changes to localized erythrocyte membrane deformability in Plasmodium falciparum cultures

The effect of intra-erythrocyte development of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite on local deformability of human erythrocyte membranes was studied by aspiration of cells into 0.56 micron diameter pores in polycarbonate filters and examination, after fixing, with a scanning electron microscope. As the aspiration pressure increased, the erythrocyte membrane was extruded into the filter pores. The pressure dependence of the protrusion length and the minimum pressure required to produce any deformation provided measures of the membrane shear and the bending moduli, respectively. At the trophozoite and, to a greater extent, schizont stage of development, host cell membrane deformability was significantly decreased. There was no appreciable difference between uninfected and ring-infected erythrocytes.