STUDIES OF PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM CYTOADHERENCE USING IMMORTALIZED HUMAN BRAIN CAPILLARY ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

The cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes was s tudied using immortalized human brain capillary endothelial cells. The immortalized cells, denoted as BB19, derived from the human brain end othelium, were transformed with the E6E7 genes of human papilloma viru s and retained their endothelial nature, i.e. tubule formation occurre d with Matrigel as a substratum and the cells stained positive for Fac tor VIII-related antigen, or vonWillebrand's factor. Surface expressio n of ICAM-1, VCAM, E-selectin, and CD36 was demonstrated by immunofluo rescence staining with monoclonal antibodies to these Ligands. Exposur e to cytokines (TNF, IFN gamma, IL-1 alpha, and IL-6) and lipopolysacc haride resulted in an increase in expression of ICAM-1, VCAM, E-select in, and CD36. The BB19 cells bound P. falciparum-infected red blood ce lls with both the FCR-3 and the ITO4 strains. Antibodies to CD36 and I CAM-1 partially inhibited the binding of the FCR-3 and the ITO4 lines, respectively. These findings suggest that BB19 cells may be useful in the analysis of receptor-based cytoadherence and sequestration, as we ll as in the cell biology of microvessel formation. Copyright (C) 1996 Australian Society for Parasitology.