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Modeling cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum‐ infected erythrocytes and leukocytes—common principles and distinctive features
Author(s) -
Helms Gesa,
Dasanna Anil Kumar,
Schwarz Ulrich S.,
Lanzer Michael
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.12142
Subject(s) - plasmodium falciparum , biology , bacterial adhesin , adhesion , plasmodium (life cycle) , microbiology and biotechnology , cell adhesion , parasite hosting , immunology , cell , malaria , chemistry , genetics , gene , virulence , organic chemistry , world wide web , computer science
Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum ‐infected erythrocytes to the microvascular endothelial lining shares striking similarities to cytoadhesion of leukocytes. In both cases, adhesins are presented in structures that raise them above the cell surface. Another similarity is the enhancement of adhesion under physical force (catch bonding). Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying cytoadherence in both cellular systems. We describe how imaging, flow chamber experiments, single‐molecule measurements, and computational modeling have been used to decipher the relevant processes. We conclude that although the parasite seems to induce processes that resemble the cytoadherence of leukocytes, the mechanics of erythrocytes is such that the resulting behavior in shear flow is fundamentally different.