A restricted subset of var genes mediates adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to brain endothelial cells

摘要

Of the five malaria species that infect humans, Plasmodium fal-ciparum causes the most severe disease, in part, because the parasite exports binding proteins to the surface of infected red blood cells (erythrocytes) to make them sticky. This adhesion phenotype facilitates binding of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes to host endothelial cells that line the blood vessels and the evasion of spleen-dependent killing mechanisms. However, cytoadhesion is also a major virulence determinant that contributes to organ-specific disease complications resulting from placental malaria and cerebral malaria.