A malaria heat-shock-like determinant expressed on the infected hepatocyte surface is the target of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic mechanisms by nonparenchymal liver cells

Eur J Immunol. 1990 Jul;20(7):1445-9. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830200706.

Abstract

Cultured hepatic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and P. yoelii and with a monoclonal antibody recognizing a C-terminal fragment of the P. falciparum heat-shock-like protein (Pfhsp70) revealed that synthesis of this antigen first occurs during intrahepatic development of the parasite, at the two nuclei stage. Using a variety of techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, we observed that this antigenic determinant was expressed on the infected hepatocyte membrane. Its participation in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity was investigated. While no effect was obtained with peripheral blood cells, we found that 25% of the schizonts were specifically lysed when using spleen cells at a killer/target ratio of 30/1. More interestingly, with nonparenchymal liver cells, up to 50% of the hepatic parasites disappeared with a killer/target ratio of 10/1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Plasmodium yoelii / immunology
  • Rodentia

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Heat-Shock Proteins