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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells
Published on: January 3, 2012
Selecting Plasmodium falciparum Infected Erythrocytes for Adhesion to Cell Lines
Yvonne Azasi1, J Alexandra Rowe2
1Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. yvonne.azasi@medicina.ulisboa.pt.
Abstract:
Plasmodium falciparum expresses variant surface antigens on the surface of mature infected erythrocytes (IEs) for binding to various receptors on host cells (cytoadhesion) to evade host immunity. This enables IEs to sequester in the microvasculature of different organs and tissues of the host, contributing to different outcomes of disease. The in vitro study of cytoadhesion involves the use of IEs and human endothelial cells or other cell lines that express host cell receptors. To enrich for IE populations that bind to certain cell types or receptors, we describe a method for panning mature pigmented trophozoite IEs on cell lines. The method enables coculturing of IEs with cells of interest and the selection of IEs that cytoadhere for continuous culturing. The method serves as a tool for generating IEs with specific cell or cell receptor adhesion phenotypes to allow detailed studies of cytoadhesion interactions.
Insights
This study introduces a new method to select specific Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (IEs) that bind to host cells. This technique aids in understanding malaria cytoadhesion and disease development.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (IEs) express variant surface antigens for cytoadhesion, evading host immunity.
- IE cytoadhesion to host receptors causes sequestration in microvasculature, leading to diverse disease outcomes.
- In vitro studies of IE cytoadhesion typically use IEs and host cells expressing specific receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel method for panning mature pigmented trophozoite IEs on cell lines.
- To enrich for specific IE populations that bind to particular cell types or receptors.
- To facilitate detailed studies of cytoadhesion interactions by generating IEs with defined adhesion phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- A panning method was developed to select mature pigmented trophozoite IEs based on their binding to cell lines.
- The method involves coculturing IEs with target cells and selecting adherent IEs.
- Selected IEs are then available for continuous culturing and further analysis.
Main Results:
- The panning method successfully enriches for IE populations with specific cytoadhesion phenotypes.
- This technique allows for the isolation of IEs that bind to defined host cell receptors.
- The selected IEs can be maintained in culture for subsequent detailed investigation.
Conclusions:
- The described panning method is an effective tool for studying Plasmodium falciparum cytoadhesion.
- It enables the generation of IE lines with specific adhesion properties for in-depth research.
- This approach advances the understanding of malaria pathogenesis and host-parasite interactions.
