Chondroitin sulfate A is a cell surface receptor for Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.182.1.15
• Publication Date: 2004-06-24T07:56:10Z
• Authors: S J Rogerson; S C Chaiyaroj; K Ng; J C Reeder; G V Brown
• Keywords: Chondroitin

Adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to cerebral postcapillary venular endothelium is believed be a critical step in the development malaria. Some possible receptors mediating adherence have been identified, but process vivo poorly understood. We investigated role carbohydrate ligands adherence, and we identified chondroitin sulfate (CS) as specific receptor for P. erythrocytes. Parasitized cells bound Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) C32 melanoma sulfate-dependent manner, whereas glycosylation mutants lacking A (CSA) supported little or no binding. Chondroitinase treatment wild-type CHO reduced binding by up 90%. Soluble CSA inhibited 99.2 +/- 0.2% at 10 mg/ml 72.5 3.8% 1 mg/ml, range other glycosaminoglycans such heparan had effect. Parasite lines selected increased most patient isolates specifically immobilized CSA. conclude that falciparum can express expose proteins surface infected erythrocyte mediate This mechanism may contribute pathogenesis malaria, has wider implications an example infectious agent with capacity bind cell-associated CS.