Plasmodium falciparum host interactions

Rather uniquely, ICAM-1 is also subverted as receptor by human pathogens in at least three different ways. Major group rhinoviruses and A-type coxsackieviruses use ICAM-1 to release their RNA into the host cell cytoplasm. Erythrocytes infected by the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, are able to bind ICAM-1 in the surface of endothelial cells (Berendt et al., 1992 Ockenhouse et al., 1992), and use this cytoadherence to sequester themselves in deep vascular beds, including the brain, minimizing exposure of the parasite to immune surveillance. Finally, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), uses ICAM-1 as a coreceptor (Bastiani et al., 1997 Fortin et al., 1997 Rizzuto and Sodroski, 1997). HIV-1 acquires several host cell membrane proteins when it buds from infected cells, making it possible for ICAM-1 to be incorporated into the envelope of the virions. This results in an increase of subsequent virus-cell interactions, enhancement of virus infectivity, and extension of the host cell range. 

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