Placental Malaria
Placental Malaria - Related Videos
15:03
Building a Better Mosquito: Identifying the Genes Enabling Malaria and Dengue Fever Resistance in A. gambiae and A. aegypti Mosquitoes
0 Views •
Cited by 2 •
2007
In this interview, George Dimopoulos focuses on the physiological mechanisms used by mosquitoes to combat Plasmodium falciparum and dengue virus infections. Explanation is given for how key refractory genes, those genes conferring resistance to vector pathogens, are identified in the mosquito and how this knowledge can be used to generate transgenic mosquitoes that are unable to carry the malaria parasite or dengue virus.
06:54
Injection of An. stephensi Embryos to Generate Malaria-resistant Mosquitoes
0 Views •
Cited by 9 •
2007
Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes are vectors for malaria inhabiting India and throughout Asia. This video demonstrates the technique for performing microinjections of this species with transgenes that will confer resistance to the malaria to the mosquito. Much of the methodology demonstrated in this video is applicable to microinjection techniques of other mosquito species.
01:29
Malaria
0 Views •
2026
Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
13:39
Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites
0 Views •
Cited by 9 •
2011
Genetic crosses of rodent malaria parasites are performed by feeding two genetically distinct parasites to mosquitoes. Recombinant progeny are cloned from mouse blood after allowing mosquitoes to bite infected mice. This video shows how to produce genetic crosses of Plasmodium yoelii and is applicable to other rodent malaria parasites.
12:17
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
0 Views •
Cited by 18 •
2017
We present a detailed method to study human placental physiology in vivo at term. The method combines blood sampling from the incoming and outgoing vessels on the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta with ultrasound measurements of volume blood flow and placental tissue sampling.
FAQs
VAR2CSA on Plasmodium-infected red blood cells binds chondroitin sulfate A displayed by placental syncytiotrophoblasts. This pregnancy-associated adhesion interaction keeps infected cells within placental tissue rather than allowing them to circulate normally. The resulting accumulation creates a localized site where parasite contact, immune activation, and tissue changes can influence maternal-fetal exchange.
Local inflammation can recruit monocytes to the placenta and alter its architecture. These changes affect the tissue environment surrounding maternal and fetal exchange surfaces, potentially reducing the efficiency of nutrient and oxygen transfer. In immunological terms, placental malaria therefore reflects both direct parasite adhesion and a secondary inflammatory response that can amplify tissue dysfunction.
Pregnancy-specific immunity influences how the host responds to infected cells adhering in placental tissue. Parasite sequestration can stimulate local inflammation and monocyte recruitment, while the resulting immune activity may modify placental structure. This interaction helps explain why disease outcomes depend not only on parasite adhesion, but also on the specialized immune environment of pregnancy.
Research commonly focuses on the chain linking VAR2CSA-mediated adhesion, chondroitin sulfate A recognition, local inflammation, monocyte recruitment, and altered placental architecture. Investigators then relate these processes to maternal-fetal exchange and pregnancy outcomes such as anemia, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Together, these measurements connect molecular events with physiological consequences.
Because VAR2CSA mediates attachment to placental chondroitin sulfate A, it provides a mechanistic focus for vaccine development. Understanding this interaction may help researchers target the adhesion step before infected cells accumulate in placental tissue. Such work is intended to support preventive strategies that reduce immune and vascular disruption while protecting both the pregnant individual and fetus.
Evaluation centers on consequences that reflect impaired placental function, including maternal anemia, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and preterm birth. These outcomes provide a broader context for interpreting parasite adhesion, inflammation, and architectural changes. Studying them also helps connect immunology and infection research with prevention and treatment strategies designed for pregnancy.