Strict tropism for CD71+/CD234+ human reticulocytes limits the zoonotic potential of Plasmodium cynomolgi

In this study, we show that whereas P cynomolgi merozoites invade monkey red blood cells indiscriminately in vitro, in humans, they are restricted to reticulocytes expressing both transferrin receptor 1 (Trf1 or CD71) and the Duffy antigen/chemokine receptor (DARC or CD234). This likely contributes to the paucity of detectable zoonotic cynomolgi malaria. We further describe postinvasion morphologic and rheologic alterations in P cynomolgi–infected human reticulocytes that are strikingly similar to those observed for P vivax. These observations stress the value of P cynomolgi as a model in the development of blood stage vaccines against vivax malaria.

Source: Blood - September 14, 2017 Category: Hematology Authors: Kosaisavee, V., Suwanarusk, R., Chua, A. C. Y., Kyle, D. E., Malleret, B., Zhang, R., Imwong, M., Imerbsin, R., Ubalee, R., Samano-Sanchez, H., Yeung, B. K. S., Ong, J. J. Y., Lombardini, E., Nosten, F., Tan, K. S. W., Bifani, P., Snounou, G., Renia, L., Tags: Red Cells, Iron, and Erythropoiesis Source Type: research