title: Experimental Models of Microvascular Immunopathology: The Example of Cerebral Malaria.
abstract: Human cerebral malaria is a severe and often lethal complication ofPlasmodium falciparuminfection. Complex host and parasite interactions should the precise mechanisms involved in the onset of this neuropathology. Adhesion of parasitised red blood cells and host cells to endothelial cells lead to profound endothelial alterations that trigger immunopathological changes, varying degrees of brain oedema and can compromise cerebral blood flow, cause cranial nerve dysfunction and hypoxia. Study of the cerebral pathology in human patients is limited to clinical and genetic field studies in endemic areas, thus cerebral malaria (CM) research relies heavily on experimental models. The availability of malaria models allows study from the inoculation ofPlasmodiumto the onset of disease and permit invasive experiments. Here, we discuss some aspects of our current understanding of CM, the experimental models available and some important recent findings extrapolated from these models.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, Medical Foundation Building, The University of Sydney Level 2, Room 20892-94 Parramatta Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El-Assaad
authors.affiliation: Vascular Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, Medical Foundation Building, The University of Sydney Level 2, Room 20892-94 Parramatta Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Combes
authors.affiliation: Professor Chair of Vascular Immunology, Department of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Address: Medical Foundation Building (K25)Room 208, 92 - 94 Parramatta Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Georges Er
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Grau
keywords: Cerebral malaria; Experimental malaria; Malaria; Plasmodium Immunopathology