Plasmodium falciparum Associated with Severe Childhood Malaria Preferentially Expresses PfEMP1 Encoded by Group A var Genes

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20040274
• Publication Date: 2004-05-03T21:54:02Z
• Authors: Anja T.R. Jensen; Pamela Magistrado; Sarah Sharp; Louise Joergensen; Thomas Lavstsen; Antonella Chiucch...; Ali Salanti; Lasse S. Vestergaard; John P. Lusingu; Rob Hermsen; Robert Sauerwein; Jesper Christensen; Morten A. Nielsen; Lars Hviid; Colin Sutherland; Trine Staalsoe; Thor G. Theander
• Keywords: Antigenic variation; clone (Java method)

Parasite-encoded variant surface antigens (VSAs) like the var gene–encoded Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family are responsible for antigenic variation and infected red blood cell (RBC) cytoadhesion in P. malaria. Parasites causing severe malaria nonimmune patients tend to express a restricted subset of VSA (VSASM) that differs from associated with uncomplicated asymptomatic infection (VSAUM). We compared gene transcription unselected clone 3D7 expressing VSAUM vitro–selected sublines VSASM identify PfEMP1 phenotype. Expression was accompanied by up-regulation Group A genes. The most prominently up-regulated (PFD1235w/MAL7P1.1) translated into expressed on RBC surface. proteins encoded genes, such as PFD1235w/MAL7P1.1, appear be involved pathogenesis disease thus attractive candidates vaccine against life-threatening