Falciparum Malaria-Infected Erythrocytes Specifically Bind to Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

• DOI: 10.1126/science.7017935
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T17:45:58Z
• Authors: Iroka J. Udeinya; John A. Schmidt; Masamichi Aikawa; Louis H. Miller; Ira Green
• Keywords: Umbilical Veins; Erythrocytes; Plasmodium falciparum; 3. Good health; Microscopy, Electron; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Aotus trivirgatus; Pregnancy; Animals; Humans; Female; Endothelium; Cells, Cultured

Erythrocytes infected with the late stages of the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum became attached to a subpopulation of cultured human endothelial cells by knoblike protrusions on the surface of the infected erythrocytes. Infected erythrocytes did not bind to cultured fibroblasts; uninfected erythrocytes did not bind to either endothelial cells or fibroblasts. The results suggest a specific receptor-ligand interaction between endothelial cells and a component, or components, in the knobs of the infected erythrocytes.