Investigation of host factors possibly enhancing the emergence of the chondroitin sulfate A-binding phenotype in Plasmodium falciparum

In malaria endemic areas, regardless of immunity acquired during lifelong exposure to malaria, pregnant women become susceptible to Plasmodium falciparum infections. Malaria during pregnancy is associated with a massive sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placenta and the emergence of a unique parasite-derived adhesive molecule (encoded by var2CSA) that binds to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). How P. falciparum achieves the timely expression of the CSA ligand in pregnant women remains puzzling. We investigated whether host serum-specific factors present only during pregnancy may induce var2CSA expression. Our panel of experiments did not reveal significant changes in var2CSA levels and CSA-binding capacity.