PLoS ONE (Jan 2014)

The Plasmodium falciparum translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is incorporated more efficiently into B cells than its human homologue.

  • Berenice Calderón-Pérez,
  • Beatriz Xoconostle-Cázares,
  • Rosalía Lira-Carmona,
  • Rosaura Hernández-Rivas,
  • Jaime Ortega-López,
  • Roberto Ruiz-Medrano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085514
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
p. e85514

Abstract

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Plasmodium falciparum secretes a homologue of the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) into serum of infected individuals, although its role in pathogenesis or virulence is unknown. To determine the effect of P. falciparum TCTP on B cells as compared to human TCTP, fluorescently labeled proteins were incubated on primary cultures of mouse splenic B cells and analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Our results indicate that both recombinant proteins are incorporated into B cells, but differ significantly in their rate and percentage of incorporation, being significantly higher for P. falciparum TCTP. Furthermore, P. falciparum TCTP showed a lower B cell proliferative effect than human TCTP, suggesting a mechanism through which the former could interfere in the host's immune response.