A Plasmodium falciparum exo-antigen alters erythrocyte membrane deformability.
Here we describe a reduced membrane deformability of human erythrocytes when aspirated into 0.6 microns diameter in polycarbonate sieves, after exposure of uninfected cells to spent parasite-culture supernatant. This, taken in concert with a previous observation that intra-erythrocytic development of the parasite P. falciparum decreases host localised membrane deformability, may indicate a biological role for such parasite-induced changes in the rheological properties of the erythrocyte.
Naumann
K M
KM
Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, Australia.
Jones
G L
GL
Saul
A
A
Smith
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan