Thomas Lavstsen

TL;DR: Mark upregulation of a single var gene in several P. falciparum parasite isolates after selection for adhesion to CSA in vitro has the properties expected of a gene encoding the parasite adhesion molecule that initiates the pathology associated with PAM.

TL;DR: It is shown that VAR2CSA is expressed on the surface of CSA-selected IEs, which means that women with high plasma levels of anti-VAR1CSA IgG give birth to markedly heavier babies and have a much lower risk of delivering low birth weight children than women with low levels.

TL;DR: EPCR, which mediates the cytoprotective effects of activated protein C, is identified as the endothelial receptor for DC8 and DC13 PfEMP1, and it is shown that EPCR binding is mediated through the amino-terminal cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDRα1) ofDC8 and group A Pf EMP1 subfamilies, and that CIDR α1 interferes with protein C binding to EPCC.

TL;DR: The grouping of var genes implies that var gene recombination preferentially occurs within var gene groups and it is speculated that the groups reflect a functional diversification evolved to cope with the varying conditions of transmission and host immune response met by the parasite.

TL;DR: This study redefines and reclassifies the domains of PfEMP1 from seven genomes, and hopes this comprehensive categorization will provide a platform for future studies on var/PfEMP1 expression and function.