Malaria parasites specifically target red blood cells for invasion. Here, the authors investigate how Plasmodium falciparum exploits host CD44, showing that CD44 crosslinking promotes invasion in two ways: by altering the cell membrane to enhance critical ligand-receptor interactions, and by regulating signaling internally to the host cell cytoskeleton.
- Angel K. Kongsomboonvech
- Stephen W. Scally
- Elizabeth S. Egan
