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Researchers uncover essential interaction between malaria parasites, liver cells

Date:
November 26, 2015
Source:
The Center for Infectious Disease Research
Summary:
A critical piece in the puzzle of how malaria parasites infect their host has been uncovered by researchers. The work reveals the details of how the malaria parasite invades its initial target organ, the liver. Without infection of the liver, the parasites cannot multiply or spread to the blood. Infection of the blood causes illness, spread of the disease, and, ultimately, death.
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FULL STORY

Scientists at the Center for Infectious Disease Research recently uncovered a critical piece in the puzzle of how malaria parasites infect their host. The work, recently published in Science Magazine, reveals the details of how the malaria parasite invades its initial target organ, the liver. Without infection of the liver, the parasites cannot multiply or spread to the blood. Infection of the blood causes illness, spread of the disease, and, ultimately, death.

"This discovery is significant because it reveals a vital interaction between the malaria parasite and the person it infects. Before, we knew little about that interaction. The molecular details of our discovery will facilitate the design of new drugs and new vaccines," said Alexis Kaushansky, PhD, an assistant professor at the Center for Infectious Disease Research.

The discovery was made through collaborative research between the laboratories of Drs. Stefan Kappe, PhD, Noah Sather, PhD, and Alexis Kaushansky, PhD. The combination of cross-disciplinary, collaborative research and technological approaches has allowed this type of discovery to be possible. As Louis H. Miller, Head of Malaria Cell Biology Section at the National Institutes of Health notes, "The findings on the liver receptor EphA2 for malaria parasite sporozoite invasion of liver cells is a critically important advance and might allow us to devise new strategies to block parasite infection."

The Center has pioneered the systems biology approach to research, which utilizes state-of-the-art technology, fosters collaboration between scientists, and allows for a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between pathogens and their hosts. This method provides an essential path the transformative advances needed to prevent and treat the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

The full manuscript detailing the researchers' findings titled "Malaria parasites target the hepatocyte receptor EphA2 for successful host infection," was published in the November edition of Science magazine.


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Materials provided by The Center for Infectious Disease Research. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. A. Kaushansky, A. N. Douglass, N. Arang, V. Vigdorovich, N. Dambrauskas, H. S. Kain, L. S. Austin, D. N. Sather, S. H. I. Kappe. Malaria parasites target the hepatocyte receptor EphA2 for successful host infection. Science, 2015; 350 (6264): 1089 DOI: 10.1126/science.aad3318

Cite This Page:

The Center for Infectious Disease Research. "Researchers uncover essential interaction between malaria parasites, liver cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151126165019.htm>.
The Center for Infectious Disease Research. (2015, November 26). Researchers uncover essential interaction between malaria parasites, liver cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151126165019.htm
The Center for Infectious Disease Research. "Researchers uncover essential interaction between malaria parasites, liver cells." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151126165019.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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