Generation of a Mouse Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Host Mosquito-Derived Sporozoites

Begin with a tube containing salivary glands from female mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium berghei  — a malaria-causing parasite.

Mechanically disrupt the glands, releasing the sporozoites  — an infective form of the parasite into the medium.

Pellet the gland fractions and debris. Collect the sporozoite-containing supernatant and inject them into the tail vein of a restrained mouse.

The injected sporozoites travel through the bloodstream and reach the liver, where they infect hepatocytes and multiply, forming merozoites  — an invasive form of the parasite. 

Over time, hepatocytes release merozoites into the bloodstream, invading the red blood cells, or RBCs.

Inside the RBCs, the merozoites replicate asexually, developing into mature form and expressing parasite-derived antigens on the RBCs' surface.

These antigens bind to endothelial receptors, including those in brain blood vessels, leading to the sequestration of infected and non-infected RBCs.

This abnormal RBC accumulation disrupts the blood-brain barrier, causing fluid accumulation in the brain's parenchyma and developing cerebral malaria in the mouse.