title: Cytoadherence phenotype of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes is associated with specific pfemp-1 expression in parasites from children with cerebral malaria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) in deep microvasculature endothelia plays a major role in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM). This biological process is thought to be mediated by P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP-1) and human receptors such as CD36 and ICAM-1. The relationship between the expression of PfEMP-1 variants and cytoadherence phenotype in the pathology of malaria is not well established.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytoadherence phenotypes of IEs to CD36, ICAM-1, CSPG and the transcription patterns of A, B, var2csa, var3, var gene groups and domain cassettes DC8 and DC13 were assessed in parasites from children with CM and uncomplicated malaria (UM) to determine if cytoadherence is related to a specific transcription profile of pfemp-1 variants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parasites from CM patients bind significantly more to CD36 than those from UM patients, but no difference was observed in their binding ability to ICAM-1 and CSPG. CM isolates highly transcribed groups A, B, var2csa, var3, DC8 and DC13 compared to UM parasites. The high transcription levels of var genes belonging to group B positively correlated with increased binding level to CD36.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CM isolates bind significantly more to CD36 than to ICAM-1, which was correlated with high transcription level of group B var genes, supporting their implication in malaria pathogenesis.
authors.forename: Talleh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almelli
authors.forename: Nicaise T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Ndam
authors.forename: Sem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ezimegnon
authors.forename: Maroufou J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alao
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ahouansou
authors.forename: Gratien
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sagbo
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amoussou
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deloron
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 216 Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris 75270, France. Rachida.Tahar@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Rachida
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tahar
mesh_terms: D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002648:Child; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018955:CD36 Antigens; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C487486:chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan receptor, human; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1