Casein Kinases 2-dependent phosphorylation of the placental ligand VAR2CSA regulates Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes cytoadhesion.

Placental malaria is characterized by the massive accumulation and sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placental intervillous blood spaces, causing severe birth outcomes. The variant surface antigen VAR2CSA is associated with Plasmodium falciparum sequestration in the placenta via its capacity to adhere to chondroitin sulfate A. We have previously shown that the extracellular region of VAR2CSA is phosphorylated on several residues and that the phosphorylation enhances the adhesive properties of CSA-binding infected erythrocytes.

Aotus nancymaae model predicts human immune response to the placental malaria vaccine candidate VAR2CSA.

Placental malaria vaccines (PMVs) are being developed to prevent severe sequelae of placental malaria (PM) in pregnant women and their offspring. The leading candidate vaccine antigen VAR2CSA mediates parasite binding to placental receptor chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). Despite promising results in small animal studies, recent human trials of the first two PMV candidates (PAMVAC and PRIMVAC) generated limited cross-reactivity and cross-inhibitory activity to heterologous parasites.

A novel characterisation protocol of mechanical interactions between the ground and a tibial prosthesis for long jump.

The mechanical study of Running Specific Prostheses (RSPs) is often limited to the blade. The setup developed and presented herein is a simple experiment, based on a mechanical testing machine and a camera, that assesses two indicators relevant to coaches and athletes in the field of athletics: secant stiffness and energy dissipation. The influence of four parameters on global prosthesis behaviour is evaluated: the load line offset, the prosthesis-ground angle, the sole type and the flooring type.

Homeostasis of extracellular ATP in uninfected RBCs from a Plasmodium falciparum culture and derived microparticles.

Plasmodium falciparum, a dangerous parasitic agent causing malaria, invades human red blood cells (RBCs), causing hemolysis and microvascular obstruction. These and other pathological processes of malaria patients are due to metabolic and structural changes occurring in uninfected RBCs. In addition, infection activates the production of microparticles (MPs).

BMFPs, a versatile therapeutic tool for redirecting a preexisting Epstein-Barr virus antibody response toward defined target cells.

Industrial production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies is mostly performed in eukaryotic-based systems, allowing posttranslational modifications mandatory for their functional activity. The resulting elevated product cost limits therapy access to some patients. To address this limitation, we conceptualized a novel immunotherapeutic approach to redirect a preexisting polyclonal antibody response against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) toward defined target cells.