Red Blood Cells Oligosaccharides as Targets for Plasmodium Invasion

Abstract

The key element in developing a successful malaria treatment is a good understanding of molecular mechanisms engaged in human host infection. It is assumed that oligosaccharides play a significant role in Plasmodium parasites binding to RBCs at different steps of host infection. The formation of a tight junction between EBL merozoite ligands and glycophorin receptors is the crucial interaction in ensuring merozoite entry into RBCs. It was proposed that sialic acid residues of O/N-linked glycans form clusters on a human glycophorins polypeptide chain, which facilitates the binding. Therefore, specific carbohydrate drugs have been suggested as possible malaria treatments. It was shown that the sugar moieties of N-acetylneuraminyl-N-acetate-lactosamine and 2,3-didehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA), which is its structural analog, can inhibit P. falciparum EBA-175-GPA interaction. Moreover, heparin-like molecules might be used as antimalarial drugs with some modifications to overcome their anticoagulant properties. Assuming that the principal interactions of Plasmodium merozoites and host cells are mediated by carbohydrates or glycan moieties, glycobiology-based approaches may lead to new malaria therapeutic targets.

Plasmodium chabaudi Merozoites Obtained through a Simpler Method Do Not Survive in Classically Activated Macrophages

“…There were an estimated 247 million malaria cases in 2021 in 8 malaria-endemic countries [ 1 ]. There is an urgency to develop an effective vaccine or new antimalarial compounds to reduce the burden of malaria and prevent cases of drug resistance [ 2 ], and a good understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the infection of the human host is essential in the development of a successful treatment of malaria [ 3 ]. Since the merozoite form of Plasmodium spp.…”