Malaria, monocytes, macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells: sticking of infected erythrocytes switches off host cells

The adhesive phenotypes expressed by Plasmodium-falciparum-infected erythrocytes were previously thought simply to permit sequestration of parasites in the peripheral circulation. Recent work has illuminated how falciparuminfected erythrocytes may modulate the function of monocytes, macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells through the action of haemozoin from digested haemoglobin and through adhesion of infected cells to their surface.