title: Modeling cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes and leukocytes-common principles and distinctive features.
abstract: Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the microvascular endothelial lining shares striking similarities to cytoadhesion of leukocytes. In both cases, adhesins are presented in structures that raise them above the cell surface. Another similarity is the enhancement of adhesion under physical force (catch bonding). Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying cytoadherence in both cellular systems. We describe how imaging, flow chamber experiments, single-molecule measurements, and computational modeling have been used to decipher the relevant processes. We conclude that although the parasite seems to induce processes that resemble the cytoadherence of leukocytes, the mechanics of erythrocytes is such that the resulting behavior in shear flow is fundamentally different.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Germany.
authors.forename: Gesa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.affiliation: BioQuant, Heidelberg, Germany.|Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Germany.
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dasanna
authors.affiliation: BioQuant, Heidelberg, Germany.|Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanzer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000166:cytology*
keywords: catch bond; cytoadhesion; leukocyte; malaria; mesoscopic model; modeling