Plasmodium sporozoites migrate through several cells in the host before infecting a final hepatocyte. Our Preliminary Studies show that this migration is essential for the establishment of malaria because; (i) it activates sporozoites making them competent for hepatocyte invasion; (ii) it activates neighboring hepatocytes making them susceptible for sporozoite infection. We plan to identify parasite and host cell mechanisms and molecules involved in these two crucial aspects of infection. (i) During migration through host cells sporozoites contact the cytosol of hepatocytes.This triggers exocytosis in sporozoites that is required for infection of hepatocytes. Using hepatocyte extracts we will identify the molecules that activate sporozoites for infection and the receptors that these molecules recognize in the sporozoite. We will also study the mechanism of signal transduction of this activatory cascade resulting in exocytosis. (ii) Migration through host hepatocytes induces the release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that makes hepatocytes susceptible for Plasmodium infection. We will investigate the mechanisms underlying HGF-mediated hepatocyte susceptibility for infection, including cytoskeletal rearrangements, acidification of the parasitophorous vacuole, cholesterol requirement, and hepatocyte apoptosis inhibition. Results from this study will contribute to the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating the first step of malaria development in the host: the infection of hepatocytes. The characterization of novel Plasmodium and hepatocyte factors that are required for infection hold significant potential as novel targets for disease control.
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