Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes can bind to host receptors integrins αVβ3 and αVβ6 through DBLδ1_D4 domain of PFL2665c PfEMP1 protein

Sci Rep. 2018 Dec 14;8(1):17871. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36071-2.

Abstract

Major complications and mortality from Plasmodium falciparum malaria are associated with cytoadhesion of parasite-infected erythrocytes (IE). The main parasite ligands for cytoadhesion are members of the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family. Interactions of different host receptor-ligand pairs may lead to various pathological outcomes, like placental or cerebral malaria. It has been shown previously that IE can bind integrin αVβ3. Using bead-immobilized PfEMP1 constructs, we have identified that the PFL2665c DBLδ1_D4 domain binds to αVβ3 and αVβ6. A parasite line expressing PFL2665c binds to surface-immobilized αVβ3 and αVβ6; both are RGD motif-binding integrins. Interactions can be inhibited by cyloRGDFV peptide, an antagonist of RGD-binding integrins. This is a first, to the best of our knowledge, implication of a specific PfEMP1 domain for binding to integrins. These host receptors have important physiological functions in endothelial and immune cells; therefore, these results will contribute to future studies and a better understanding, at the molecular level, of the physiological outcome of interactions between IE and integrin receptors on the surface of host cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Erythrocytes / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / metabolism*
  • Integrins / metabolism*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Integrins
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum
  • integrin alphavbeta6