Microparticle (MP)

Molecular group: 
Immune cells
Molecule/Cell: 
Microparticle (MP)
Plasmodium strain: 
Plasmodium berghei ANKA
pRBC infection titer: 
10^6
Mouse genetic background (Con): 
CBA/J
Experimental treatment group (EG): 
MP formation inhibitor (pantethine)
Lethal infection (Con): 
yes
Lethal infection (EG): 
60-70% (at the end of observation day 20)
Pathology (Con): 
CM (100%)
Pathology (EG): 
No CM
Parasitemia (EG vs Con): 
Similar
Additional phenotypes (EG vs Con): 
No neurological symptoms; prolonged survival (1-3 weeks); no↑ in circulating MP; ↓ plasma TNF-a; ↓ dose or treatment for a shorter period led to partial protection; ↓ PS-exposure on platelet and RBC membrane; ↓ platelet binding to fibrinogen after incubation with thrombin; ↓ platelet adhesion to collagen; preserved redox status as observed by ↓ amount of –SH moieties on the platelet membrane
Refs: 
Penet et al., 2008, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A