Signal transduction in host cells by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol toxin of malaria parasites.
In this study, we have identified a dominant glycolipid toxin of Plasmodium falciparum. It is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). The parasite GPI moiety, free or associated with protein, induces tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 production by macrophages and regulates glucose metabolism in adipocytes. Deacylation with specific phospholipases abolishes cytokine induction, as do inhibitors of protein kinase C. When administered to mice in vivo the parasite GPI induces cytokine release, a transient pyrexia, and hypoglycemia. When administered with sensitizing agents it can elicit a profound and lethal cachexia. Thus, the GPI of Plasmodium is a potent glycolipid toxin that may be responsible for a novel pathogenic process, exerting pleiotropic effects on a variety of host cells by substituting for the endogenous GPI-based second messenger/signal transduction pathways. Antibody to the GPI inhibits these toxic activities, suggesting a rational basis for the development of an antiglycolipid vaccine against malaria.
Schofield
L
L
National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom.
Hackett
F
F
D000818:Animals; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000502:physiology; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004075:Diglycerides; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D007375:Interleukin-1; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D011498:Protein Precursors; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha