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Abnormal display of PfEMP-1 on erythrocytes carrying haemoglobin C may protect against malaria

Author

Listed:
  • Rick M. Fairhurst

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • Dror I. Baruch

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • Nathaniel J. Brittain

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • Graciela R. Ostera

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • John S. Wallach

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • Holly L. Hoang

    (University of Calgary)

  • Karen Hayton

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

  • Aldiouma Guindo

    (University of Bamako)

  • Morris O. Makobongo

    (Malaria Vaccine Development Branch)

  • Owen M. Schwartz

    (National Institutes of Health)

  • Anatole Tounkara

    (Ministry of Health)

  • Ogobara K. Doumbo

    (University of Bamako)

  • Dapa A. Diallo

    (University of Bamako)

  • Hisashi Fujioka

    (Case Western Reserve University)

  • May Ho

    (University of Calgary)

  • Thomas E. Wellems

    (Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research)

Abstract

Resisting malaria Long thought to have been evolutionarily selected by malaria, the mutation known as haemoglobin C was only recently shown in field studies to protect children against the disease in West Africa. A mechanism for this protection has now been worked out. In red blood cells containing normal haemoglobin A, malaria parasites generate finely distributed surface knobs with adhesion proteins (PfEMP-1) enabling infected cells to attach to blood vessel walls and avoid destruction by the spleen. Haemoglobin C impairs this attachment by causing abnormal distributions of knobs and reduced display of PfEMP-1. The cover shows a biconcave uninfected red blood cell, typical knobs on an infected normal red blood cell, and abnormal knobs on an infected cell containing haemoglobin C. (SEM by Graciela R. Ostera and Elizabeth Fischer.)

Suggested Citation

  • Rick M. Fairhurst & Dror I. Baruch & Nathaniel J. Brittain & Graciela R. Ostera & John S. Wallach & Holly L. Hoang & Karen Hayton & Aldiouma Guindo & Morris O. Makobongo & Owen M. Schwartz & Anatole T, 2005. "Abnormal display of PfEMP-1 on erythrocytes carrying haemoglobin C may protect against malaria," Nature, Nature, vol. 435(7045), pages 1117-1121, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:435:y:2005:i:7045:d:10.1038_nature03631
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03631
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