Large-scale production of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes for malaria drug discovery

摘要: The tightly controlled induction of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in large-scale culture is a fundamental requirement for malaria drug discovery applications including, but not limited to, high-throughput screening. This protocol uses magnetic separation isolation hemozoin-containing parasites order to (i) increase parasitemia, (ii) decrease hematocrit and (iii) introduce higher levels young red blood cells simultaneously within 2-4 h. These parameters, along with cell lysis products that are generated through schizont rupture, highly relevant enabling optimum gametocytogenesis vitro. No other previously published protocols have applied this particular approach parasite maximization fresh before inducing gametocytogenesis, which essential obtaining synchronous gametocyte classical stages on large scale. In summary, 500-1,000 million stage IV can be obtained 16 d from an initial 10 ml asexual blood-stage culture.