Band 3 clustering promotes the exposure of neoantigens in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.
Erythrocytes infected with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum become structurally and antigenically modified as a consequence of intracellular parasite development. The new antigens that appear on the surface of the infected erythrocyte originate from parasite-encoded proteins and by modification of the erythrocyte membrane protein band 3. Here, we show that anti-peptide antibodies generated against an amino acid sequence (YETFSKLIKIFQDH) of human band 3, and previously identified as mediating adhesion of infected erythrocytes to CD36, recognized P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. In addition, sera from individuals living in a malaria endemic area (and who are presumably immune) contained immunoglobulins specific for this region of band 3. The anti-peptide antibodies reacted with the surface excrescences (knobs) on falciparum-infected erythrocytes. In uninfected erythrocytes, the band 3 region was cryptic and its exposure on the falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface required clustering of band 3 protein. Thus, a parasite-induced modification of band 3 promotes adhesion and induces antigenic changes in the P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte.
Winograd
Enrique
E
Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Prudhomme
Jacques G
JG
Sherman
Irwin W
IW
D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011817:Rabbits
D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid