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Capture of malaria antigens by microvascular endothelial cells: implication in pathology
Author(s) -
Jambou Ronan,
Combes Valerie,
SanchezPerez Angeles,
Grau Georges
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.59.12
Subject(s) - antigen , malaria , cerebral malaria , plasmodium berghei , immunology , antibody , biology , plasmodium falciparum , immune system , western blot , virology , biochemistry , gene
Cerebral malaria, a major cause of death during malaria, is associated with sequestration of parasitised red blood cells (PRBC) in brain vessels. Raised plasma levels of both malaria‐specific and self‐reacting antibodies are common during malaria. The role of self‐reacting antibodies in pathogenesis is still debated, but implication of malaria specific antibodies in vessel lesions has not been investigated. To address this question we first explored the transfer of malaria antigens to human brain endothelial cells (HBEC), by incubating them with calcein‐AM‐ and PKH 26‐labelled P. falciparum‐infected RBC, for cytoplasmic and membrane identification, respectively. Immunofluorescent detection of malaria antigens was performed on HBEC after incubation of PRBC using a pool of hyperimmune plasmas from patients from malaria endemic area. Second, the antigens transferred to HBEC by this process were characterised by Western blot using mAbs raised against MSP antigens. This study demonstrates the transfer of parasite antigens to the HBEC through a mechanism dependent on their binding of the PRBC and on their engulfment. These results can be related to previous studies which showed deposition of IgE, IgG, malaria antigens and fibrin on brain vessels from patients who died of cerebral malaria. This capture of malaria antigen can transform microvascular endothelium in a target for the immune response of the patient