Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes induce hepcidin ( HAMP) mRNA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The article reports that erythrocytes infected by plasmodium falciparum induce hepcidin (HAMP) mRNA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Leucocyte's response to parasitized cells give a source for hepcidin during malaria, similar to hepcidin synthesis by leucocytes after exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharride (LPS). As new red cells are not produced to replace those lost by haemolysis and ingestion by macrophages, the suppressed erythropoiesis contributes to malarial anaemia.