Hepatocyte surface receptors mediating Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite entry

Hepatocyte surface receptors mediating Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite entry are a group of host proteins that the malaria parasite exploits to gain entry into the liver. This group primarily includes CD81, Scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1), Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), and Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) (Silvie et al., 2003, Nature Medicine; Silvie et al., 2006, PLoS Biology). These receptors facilitate different stages of the invasion process, from initial low-affinity docking (HSPGs) to the formation of a committed parasitophorous vacuole (CD81 and SR-B1) (Rodrigues et al., 2008, Hepatology). Because these receptors are essential for the establishment of the liver stage of infection, they are considered high-value targets for prophylactic antimalarial strategies (Kaushansky et al., 2015, Science). However, many of these proteins have critical physiological functions, such as SR-B1's role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and CD81's involvement in B-cell signaling. Consequently, therapeutic development focusing on these receptors must ensure that the inhibition of parasite entry does not lead to significant host toxicity or metabolic disruption.

Other names

CD81Scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1)Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2)Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs)Liver-stage malaria entry receptors

Inhibition of host-parasite protein-protein interactions to prevent sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes.