An in vivo humanized model to study homing and sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum transmission stages in the bone marrow.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Recent evidence suggests that the bone marrow (BM) plays a key role in the diffusion of P. falciparum malaria by providing a "niche" for the maturation of the parasite gametocytes, responsible for human-to-mosquito transmission. Suitable humanized in vivo models to study the mechanisms of the interplay between the parasite and the human BM components are still missing.

Methods

We report a novel experimental system based on the infusion of immature P. falciparum gametocytes into immunocompromised mice carrying chimeric ectopic ossicles whose stromal and bone compartments derive from human osteoprogenitor cells.

Results

We demonstrate that immature gametocytes home within minutes to the ossicles and reach the extravascular regions, wher

SUBMITTER: Donsante S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10154621 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature