A Thermal Exhaust Port on the Death Star of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes

Jens E V Petersen; Steve M Taylor

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2020.06.005

A Thermal Exhaust Port on the Death Star of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Aug;41(8):508-511. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.06.005. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Authors

Jens E V Petersen¹, Steve M Taylor²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
² Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 32600921
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.06.005

Abstract

Eliciting reliable and effective immunity against Plasmodium falciparum parasites remains an elusive goal in malaria control. Raj and colleagues recently described a naturally occurring human antibody response to a parasite antigen that initiates apoptosis-like cell death of parasites, adding fascinating insight into host-pathogen dialog that may furnish actionable targets for antiparasite therapies or vaccines.

Keywords: adaptive immunity; antibodies; apoptosis; malaria; programmed cell death.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Antibodies, Protozoan
Apoptosis
Erythrocytes
Humans
Malaria*
Malaria, Falciparum* / drug therapy
Parasites* / immunology
Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
Protozoan Proteins*

Substances

Antibodies, Protozoan
Protozoan Proteins