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Killing the competition: a theoretical framework for liver-stage malaria

Authors :
Arias, Clemente F [0000-0003-4298-8910]
Arias, Clemente F.
Acosta, Francisco Javier
Fernandez-Arias, Cristina
Arias, Clemente F [0000-0003-4298-8910]
Arias, Clemente F.
Acosta, Francisco Javier
Fernandez-Arias, Cristina
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

The first stage of malaria infections takes place inside the host's hepatocytes. Remarkably, Plasmodium parasites do not infect hepatocytes immediately after reaching the liver. Instead, they migrate through several hepatocytes before infecting their definitive host cells, thus increasing their chances of immune destruction. Considering that malaria can proceed normally without cell traversal, this is indeed a puzzling behaviour. In fact, the role of hepatocyte traversal remains unknown to date, implying that the current understanding of malaria is incomplete. In this work, we hypothesize that the parasites traverse hepatocytes to actively trigger an immune response in the host. This behaviour would be part of a strategy of superinfection exclusion aimed to reduce intraspecific competition during the blood stage of the infection. Based on this hypothesis, we formulate a comprehensive theory of liver-stage malaria that integrates all the available knowledge about the infection. The interest of this new paradigm is not merely theoretical. It highlights major issues in the current empirical approach to the study of Plasmodium and suggests new strategies to fight malaria.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1333182863
Document Type :
Electronic Resource