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Platelets Kill Intraerythrocytic Malarial Parasites and Mediate Survival to Infection

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 00:36 authored by McMorran, BJ, Marshall, VM, de Graaf, C, Drysdale, KE, Shabbar, M, Smyth, GK, Corbin, JE, Alexander, WS, Simon James FooteSimon James Foote
Platelets play a critical role in the pathogenesis of malarial infections by encouraging the sequestration of infected red blood cells within the cerebral vasculature. But platelets also have well-established roles in innate protection against microbial infections. We found that purified human platelets killed Plasmodium falciparum parasites cultured in red blood cells. Inhibition of platelet function by aspirin and other platelet inhibitors abrogated the lethal effect human platelets exert on P. falciparum parasites. Likewise, platelet-deficient and aspirin-treated mice were more susceptible to death during erythrocytic infection with Plasmodium chabaudi. Both mouse and human platelets bind malarial-infected red cells and kill the parasite within. These results indicate a protective function for platelets in the early stages of erythrocytic infection distinct from their role in cerebral malaria.

History

Publication title

Science

Volume

323

Issue

5915

Pagination

797-800

ISSN

0036-8075

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Amer Assoc Advancement Science

Place of publication

1200 New York Ave, Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20005

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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    University Of Tasmania

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