Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte receptor(s) for CD36 and thrombospondin are restricted to knobs on the erythrocyte surface.

Abstract

Adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs (PRBC) to endothelial cells causes PRBC sequestration in cerebral microvessels and is considered to be a major contributor to the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Both CD36 and thrombospondin (TSP) are glycoproteins that mediate PRBC adherence to endothelial cells in vitro. Because they are both expressed on the surface of endothelial cells, they probably contribute to PRBC sequestration and vascular occlusion in vivo. By applying affinity labeling of receptor binding sites with purified ligands, we showed for the first time that both CD36 and TSP can bind independently to the PRBC surface and that the PRBC receptor(s) for CD36 and TSP are localized specifically to the electron-dense knob protrusions of the PRBC surface. These findings may help in efforts to develop a malaria vaccine to prevent cerebral malaria.