title: Cell-cell communication between malaria-infected red blood cells via exosome-like vesicles.
abstract: Cell-cell communication is an important mechanism for information exchange promoting cell survival for the control of features such as population density and differentiation. We determined that Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells directly communicate between parasites within a population using exosome-like vesicles that are capable of delivering genes. Importantly, communication via exosome-like vesicles promotes differentiation to sexual forms at a rate that suggests that signaling is involved. Furthermore, we have identified a P. falciparum protein, PfPTP2, that plays a key role in efficient communication. This study reveals a previously unidentified pathway of P. falciparum biology critical for survival in the host and transmission to mosquitoes. This identifies a pathway for the development of agents to block parasite transmission from the human host to the mosquito.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection and Immunity, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Neta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Regev-Rudzki
authors.forename: Danny W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Teresa G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sisquella
authors.forename: Bradley M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rug
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bursac
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angrisano
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cowman
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology*; D055354:Exosomes / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D053058:Trophozoites / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins