Immunofluorescence study of cytoskeleton in endothelial cells induced with malaria sera

Abstract Background Endothelial cells (ECs) play a major role in malaria pathogenesis, as a point of direct contact of parasitized red blood cells to the blood vessel wall. The study of cytoskeleton structures of ECs, whose main functions are to maintain shape and provide strength to the EC membrane is important in determining the severe sequelae of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The work investigated the cytoskeletal changes (microfilaments- actin, microtubules- tubulin and intermediate filaments- vimentin) in ECs induced by malaria sera (P. vivax, uncomplicated P. falciparum and complicated P. falciparum).Methods Morphology and fluorescence intensity of EC cytoskeleton stimulated with malaria sera were evaluated using immunofluorescence technique. Control experimental groups included ECs incubated with media alone and with normal sera. Experimental groups consisted of ECs incubated with malaria sera from P. vivax, uncomplicated P. falciparum and complicated P. falciparum. Morphological scores of cytoskeletal alterations and fluorescence intensity were compared across each experiment groupResults The four morphological changes of cytoskeleton included (1) shrinkage of cytoskeleton and ECs with cortical condensation, (2) appearance of eccentric nuclei, (3) presence of “spiking pattern” of cytoskeleton and EC membrane, and (4) fragmentation and discontinuity of cytoskeleton and ECs. Significant damages were noted in actin filaments compared to tubulin and vimentin filaments in ECs stimulated with sera from complicated P. falciparum malaria. Fluorescence intensity of EC cytoskeleton was also highest in ECs stimulated with sera from complicated P. falciparum malaria and was correlated with morphological damages to cytoskeleton.Conclusions ECs stimulated with sera from complicated P. falciparum malaria showed cytoskeletal alterations and increased in fluorescence intensity. Cytoskeletal changes of ECs incubated with complicated P. falciparum malaria sera can lead to EC junctional alteration and permeability changes, which is mediated through apoptotic pathway. The findings can serve as a basis to explore measures to strengthen EC cytoskeleton and alleviate severe malaria complications such as pulmonary oedema and cerebral malaria. In addition, immunofluorescence intensity of cytoskeleton could be investigated as potential prognostic indicator for malaria severity.