title: New insights into the protective power of platelets in malaria infection.
abstract: Platelets, as well as regulating blood hemostasis, are an important component of the body's defense against invading microbial pathogens. We previously reported that platelets protect during malaria infection by binding Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes (IE) and killing the parasite within. More recent studies have now revealed the platelet plasmocidal factor, platelet factor 4 (PF4) and the red cell-expressed Duffy-antigen molecule as the central players in the parasite killing activity of platelets.
authors.affiliation: Australian School of Advanced Medicine; Macquarie University; Macquarie Park, NSW Australia.
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McMorran
authors.forename: Gaetan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burgio
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Foote
keywords: Duffy-antigen; Plasmodium falciparum; Platelet; innate immunity; malaria; platelet factor 4