Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field
Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest strain of malaria and the mortality rate is increasing because of pathogen drug resistance. Increasing knowledge of the parasite life cycle and mechanism of infection may provide new models for improved treatment paradigms. This study sought...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2333-2 |
| _version_ | 1819130066047598592 |
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| author | Rebecca C. Gilson Robert J. Deissler Richard F. Bihary William C. Condit Mary E. Thompson D’Arbra Blankenship Kerry O. Grimberg Robert W. Brown Brian T. Grimberg |
| author_facet | Rebecca C. Gilson Robert J. Deissler Richard F. Bihary William C. Condit Mary E. Thompson D’Arbra Blankenship Kerry O. Grimberg Robert W. Brown Brian T. Grimberg |
| author_sort | Rebecca C. Gilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest strain of malaria and the mortality rate is increasing because of pathogen drug resistance. Increasing knowledge of the parasite life cycle and mechanism of infection may provide new models for improved treatment paradigms. This study sought to investigate the paramagnetic nature of the parasite’s haemozoin to inhibit parasite viability. Results Paramagnetic haemozoin crystals, a byproduct of the parasite’s haemoglobin digestion, interact with a rotating magnetic field, which prevents their complete formation, causing the accumulation of free haem, which is lethal to the parasites. Plasmodium falciparum cultures of different stages of intraerythrocytic growth (rings, trophozoites, and schizonts) were exposed to a magnetic field of 0.46 T at frequencies of 0 Hz (static), 1, 5, and 10 Hz for 48 h. The numbers of parasites were counted over the course of one intraerythrocytic life cycle via flow cytometry. At 10 Hz the schizont life stage was most affected by the rotating magnetic fields (p = 0.0075) as compared to a static magnetic field of the same strength. Parasite growth in the presence of a static magnetic field appears to aid parasite growth. Conclusions Sequestration of the toxic haem resulting from haemoglobin digestion is key for the parasites’ survival and the focus of almost all existing anti-malarial drugs. Understanding how the parasites create the haemozoin molecule and the disruption of its creation aids in the development of drugs to combat this disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T08:53:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e7725933c0748eea6e5c809bbcf8a61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T08:53:42Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e7725933c0748eea6e5c809bbcf8a612022-12-21T18:31:53ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752018-05-011711710.1186/s12936-018-2333-2Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic fieldRebecca C. Gilson0Robert J. Deissler1Richard F. Bihary2William C. Condit3Mary E. Thompson4D’Arbra Blankenship5Kerry O. Grimberg6Robert W. Brown7Brian T. Grimberg8Department of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Pathology, Center for Global Health and DiseasesDepartment of Pathology, Center for Global Health and DiseasesDepartment of Physics, CWRU College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Pathology, Center for Global Health and DiseasesAbstract Background Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest strain of malaria and the mortality rate is increasing because of pathogen drug resistance. Increasing knowledge of the parasite life cycle and mechanism of infection may provide new models for improved treatment paradigms. This study sought to investigate the paramagnetic nature of the parasite’s haemozoin to inhibit parasite viability. Results Paramagnetic haemozoin crystals, a byproduct of the parasite’s haemoglobin digestion, interact with a rotating magnetic field, which prevents their complete formation, causing the accumulation of free haem, which is lethal to the parasites. Plasmodium falciparum cultures of different stages of intraerythrocytic growth (rings, trophozoites, and schizonts) were exposed to a magnetic field of 0.46 T at frequencies of 0 Hz (static), 1, 5, and 10 Hz for 48 h. The numbers of parasites were counted over the course of one intraerythrocytic life cycle via flow cytometry. At 10 Hz the schizont life stage was most affected by the rotating magnetic fields (p = 0.0075) as compared to a static magnetic field of the same strength. Parasite growth in the presence of a static magnetic field appears to aid parasite growth. Conclusions Sequestration of the toxic haem resulting from haemoglobin digestion is key for the parasites’ survival and the focus of almost all existing anti-malarial drugs. Understanding how the parasites create the haemozoin molecule and the disruption of its creation aids in the development of drugs to combat this disease.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2333-2MalariaHemozoinMagnetic field |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca C. Gilson Robert J. Deissler Richard F. Bihary William C. Condit Mary E. Thompson D’Arbra Blankenship Kerry O. Grimberg Robert W. Brown Brian T. Grimberg Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field Malaria Journal Malaria Hemozoin Magnetic field |
| title | Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| title_full | Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| title_fullStr | Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| title_full_unstemmed | Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| title_short | Growth of Plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| title_sort | growth of plasmodium falciparum in response to a rotating magnetic field |
| topic | Malaria Hemozoin Magnetic field |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2333-2 |
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