Host Cell Entry by Malaria Parasites

Malaria remains a critical global health challenge, primarily due to the Plasmodium parasite's complex life cycle and intracellular life-style. During parasite-host co-evolution, Plasmodium has acquired sophisticated strategies to invade its various host cells and manipulate the intracellular compartment to prevent immune-mediated destruction and promote survival and proliferation. Despite extensive research, several aspects of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in host cell entry remain poorly understood. Recent studies have begun to illustrate the sophisticated strategies employed by malaria parasites to manipulate the host cellular machinery, which opens up potential therapeutic opportunities. However, a consolidated understanding of the entry mechanisms and their implications in disease progression is yet lacking.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which malaria parasites invade host cells of both the mammalian host and the mosquito vector, with an emphasis on identifying potential therapeutic targets that could hinder the parasite's lifecycle and mitigate infection.

To accurately delineate the boundaries of this exploration, the research will focus on the specific interaction dynamics between the Plasmodium species and host cell receptors. Within this framework, we invite contributions that address a variety of relevant themes, including:

o The role of specific parasite proteins in mediating entry

o Host cell receptors and signaling pathways involved in entry

o Mechanisms of immune evasion related to entry

o Development of new imaging techniques to visualize entry

o Generation of novel inhibitors targeting parasite entry pathways

o Comparative studies on the entry mechanisms of different Plasmodium species