Falciparum malaria-infected erythrocytes specifically bind to cultured human endothelial cells

Science. 1981 Jul 31;213(4507):555-7. doi: 10.1126/science.7017935.

Abstract

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, components, in the knobs of the infected erythrocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aotus trivirgatus
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelium / microbiology
  • Erythrocytes / microbiology*
  • Erythrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity*
  • Pregnancy
  • Umbilical Veins