Erythrocyte invasion profiles are associated with a common invasion ligand polymorphism in Senegalese isolates of Plasmodium falciparum.
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites use multiple ligand-receptor interactions to invade
human erythrocytes. Variant expression levels of members of the PfRh and PfEBA ligand
families are associated with the use of different erythrocyte receptors, defining
invasion pathways. Here we analyse a major polymorphism, a large sequence deletion
in the PfRh2b ligand, and erythrocyte invasion profiles in uncultured Senegalese isolates.
Parasites vary considerably in their use of sialic acid-containing and protease-sensitive
erythrocyte receptors for invasion. The erythrocyte selectivity index was not related
to invasion pathway usage, while parasite multiplication rate was associated with
enhanced use of a trypsin-resistant invasion pathway. PfRh2b protein was expressed
in all parasite isolates, although the PfRh2b deletion was present in a subset (approximately
68%). Parasites with the PfRh2b deletion were found to preferentially utilize protease-resistant
pathways for erythrocyte invasion. Sialic acid-independent invasion is reduced in
parasites with the PfRh2b deletion, but only in isolates derived from blood group
O patients. Our results suggest a significant role for PfRh2b sequence polymorphism
in discriminating between alternative erythrocyte receptors for invasion and as a
possible determinant of virulence.
Type
Journal articleSubject
ABO Blood-Group SystemAnimals
Blood Grouping and Crossmatching
Erythrocytes
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Ligands
Phenotype
Plasmodium falciparum
Polymorphism, Genetic
Protozoan Proteins
Senegal
Sequence Deletion
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/13970Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1017/S0031182008005167Publication Info
Lantos, PM; Ahouidi, AD; Bei, AK; Jennings, CV; Sarr, O; Ndir, O; ... Duraisingh,
MT (2009). Erythrocyte invasion profiles are associated with a common invasion ligand polymorphism
in Senegalese isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. Parasitology, 136(1). pp. 1-9. 10.1017/S0031182008005167. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/13970.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Paul Michael Lantos
Professor of Medicine
I am interested in the spatial epidemiology of infectious diseases. My research utilizes
geographic information systems (GIS) and geostatistical analyses to understand the
spatial and spatiotemporal distribution of diseases, and their relationship with environmental
and demographic factors. I currently have active studies evaluating the spatial distribution
of numerous domestic and international infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19),
cytomegalovirus, influenza, and Lyme disease. A

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