Cytoadherence characteristics to endothelial receptors ICAM-1 and CD36 of Plasmodium falciparum populations from severe and uncomplicated malaria cases.
The adhesion of infected red blood cells (IRBCs) to the cell lining of microvasculature is thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Individual IRBC can bind to more than one host receptor and parasites with multiple binding phenotypes may cause severe disease more frequently. However, as most clinical isolates are multiclonal, previous studies were hampered by the difficulty to distinguish whether a multiadherent phenotype was due to one or more parasite population(s). We have developed a tool, based on cytoadhesion assay and GeneScan genotyping technology, which enabled us to assess on fresh isolates the capacity of adherence of individual P. falciparum genotypes to human receptors expressed on CHO transfected cells. The cytoadhesion to ICAM-1 and CD36 of IRBCs from uncomplicated and severe malaria attacks was evaluated using this methodology. In this preliminary series conducted in non immune travelers, IRBCs from severe malaria appeared to adhere more frequently and/or strongly to ICAM-1 and CD36 in comparison with uncomplicated cases. In addition, a majority genotype able to strongly adhere to CD36 was found more frequently in isolates from severe malaria cases. Further investigations are needed to confirm the clinical relevance of these data.
Cojean
S
S
Eucaryotes Pathogènes, EA 209, Université Paris 5, 75006 Paris, France. sandrine.cojean@orange.fr
Jafari-Guemouri
S
S
Le Bras
J
J
Durand
R
R
D000818:Animals; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018955:CD36 Antigens; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1