Normal human erythrocytes express CD36, an adhesion molecule of monocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells.
We have recently shown that rosetting of Plasmodium falciparum (MC R+ line)-infected erythrocytes (parasitized red blood cells [PRBCs]) with uninfected erythrocytes (RBCs) is blocked by coating of the RBCs with anti-CD36 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs; Handunnetti et al, Blood 80:2097, 1992). Adult RBCs have previously been considered negative for CD36. However, using fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis with the anti-CD36 MoAbs 8A6, OKM5, and OKM8, which reverse rosetting, we consistently detect CD36 on the majority of normal adult RBCs. Absorption of the MoAb solutions with CD36-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-CD36) cells removed the reactivity against both CHO-CD36 cells and RBCs, whereas absorption with CHO cells had no effect. By comparison with staining for glycophorin A, LFA-3, and CR1, the level of expression of CD36 appeared to be low. Nevertheless, normal RBCs were capable of adhering to plastic coated with anti-CD36 MoAbs. RBCs from one African malaria patient were identified as deficient in CD36 and these RBCs did not rosette with the patient's own P falciparum PRBCs, even though these PRBCs were capable of rosetting with RBCs from a normal donor in a CD36-dependent manner. Therefore, the level of expression of CD36 on normal RBCs is sufficient to be important in cell adherence, and may have a biologic role in normal individuals as well as in the pathology of P falciparum malaria.
van Schravendijk
M R
MR
Molecular Biology Department, DNAX Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104.
Handunnetti
S M
SM
Barnwell
J W
JW
Howard
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D016466:CHO Cells; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D006224:Cricetinae; D004727:Endothelium / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology; D012397:Rosette Formation; D014162:Transfection
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018955:CD36 Antigens