A Receptor for the Malarial Parasite Plasmodium vivax : the Erythrocyte Chemokine Receptor

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum are the major causes of human malaria, except in sub-Saharan Africa where people lack the Duffy blood group antigen, the erythrocyte receptor for P. vivax. Duffy negative human erythrocytes are resistant to invasion by P. vivaxand the related monkey malaria, P. knowlesi. Several lines of evidence in the present study indicate that the Duffy blood group antigen is the erythrocyte receptor for the chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and melanoma growth stimulatory activity (MGSA). First, IL-8 binds minimally to Duffy negative erythrocytes. Second, a monoclonal antibody to the Duffy blood group antigen blocked binding of IL-8 and other chemokines to Duffy positive erythrocytes. Third, both MGSA and IL-8 blocked the binding of the parasite ligand and the invasion of human erythrocytes by P. knowlesi, suggesting the possibility of receptor blockade for anti-malarial therapy.

Cutting Edge: Expression of the C-C Chemokine Receptor CCR3 in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

“…We are exploring whether CCR3 ligands mediate epithelial cell migration and proliferation, which would be important in tissue remodeling. Chemokine receptors have been subverted for use as entry molecules by numerous intracellular pathogens such as malaria (27), HIV (28), and poxvirus (29); thus, epithelial CCR3 may play a role in microbial infections. …”

1H NMR evidence that Glu‐38 interacts with the N‐terminal functional domain in interleukin‐8

“…The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) is less specific and binds members of both CXC and CC chemokines with medium affinity [29,30]. The activity of the E38A analog was assessed by measuring the elastase release from neutrophils (Fig.…”

Genetic polymorphism and natural selection of Duffy binding protein of Plasmodium vivax Myanmar isolates

“…PvDBP is expressed on the merozoite of P. vivax and plays an essential role in erythrocyte invasion of the parasite by mediating irreversible binding with its corresponding receptor, the duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC), on the surface of erythrocytes [1-4]. Similar to other plasmodial proteins known to participate in such processes, PvDBP is suggested to be an important vaccine candidate antigen, because it elicits strong immune responses in humans [5,6].…”