Tumor necrosis factor reduces Plasmodium falciparum growth and activates calcium signaling in human malaria parasites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium has a complex biology including the ability to interact with host signals modulating their function through cellular machinery. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) elicits diverse cellular responses including effects in malarial pathology and increased infected erythrocyte cytoadherence. As TNF levels are raised during Plasmodium falciparum infection we have investigated whether it has an effect on the parasite asexual stage.

Methods

Flow cytometry, spectrofluorimetric determinations, confocal microscopy and PCR real time quantifications were employed for characterizing TNF induced effects and membrane integrity verified by wheat germ agglutinin staining.

Results

TNF is able to decrease intracellular parasitemia, involving calcium as a second messenger o

SUBMITTER: Cruz LN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4876768 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature