Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections

ABSTRACT Globally, an estimated 2.1 billion malaria cases and 11.7 million malaria deaths were averted in the period 2000–2022. Noticeably, despite effective control measurements, in 2022 there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in 85 malaria-endemic countries and an increase of 5 million c...

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Main Authors: Núria Sima, Alberto Ayllon-Hermida, Carmen Fernández-Becerra, Hernando A. del Portillo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Microbiology 2025-03-01
Series:mBio
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Online Access:https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.02304-24
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author Núria Sima
Alberto Ayllon-Hermida
Carmen Fernández-Becerra
Hernando A. del Portillo
author_facet Núria Sima
Alberto Ayllon-Hermida
Carmen Fernández-Becerra
Hernando A. del Portillo
author_sort Núria Sima
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Globally, an estimated 2.1 billion malaria cases and 11.7 million malaria deaths were averted in the period 2000–2022. Noticeably, despite effective control measurements, in 2022 there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in 85 malaria-endemic countries and an increase of 5 million cases compared with 2021. Further understanding the biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of human malaria is therefore essential for achieving malaria elimination. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles pivotal in intercellular communication and secreted by all cell types. Here, we will review what is currently known about EVs in malaria, from biogenesis and cargo to molecular insights of pathophysiology. Of relevance, a meta-analysis of proteomics cargo, and comparisons between in vitro and in vivo human studies revealed striking differences with those few studies reported from patients. Thus, indicating the need for rigor standardization of methodologies and for transitioning to human infections to elucidate their physiological role. We conclude with a focus on translational aspects in diagnosis and vaccine development and highlight key gaps in the knowledge of EVs in malaria research.
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spelling doaj-art-1e6df952a7d54c499c419b8a88ef81f42025-08-20T02:53:19ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologymBio2150-75112025-03-0116310.1128/mbio.02304-24Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infectionsNúria Sima0Alberto Ayllon-Hermida1Carmen Fernández-Becerra2Hernando A. del Portillo3ISGlobal, Barcelona, SpainISGlobal, Barcelona, SpainISGlobal, Barcelona, SpainISGlobal, Barcelona, SpainABSTRACT Globally, an estimated 2.1 billion malaria cases and 11.7 million malaria deaths were averted in the period 2000–2022. Noticeably, despite effective control measurements, in 2022 there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in 85 malaria-endemic countries and an increase of 5 million cases compared with 2021. Further understanding the biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of human malaria is therefore essential for achieving malaria elimination. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles pivotal in intercellular communication and secreted by all cell types. Here, we will review what is currently known about EVs in malaria, from biogenesis and cargo to molecular insights of pathophysiology. Of relevance, a meta-analysis of proteomics cargo, and comparisons between in vitro and in vivo human studies revealed striking differences with those few studies reported from patients. Thus, indicating the need for rigor standardization of methodologies and for transitioning to human infections to elucidate their physiological role. We conclude with a focus on translational aspects in diagnosis and vaccine development and highlight key gaps in the knowledge of EVs in malaria research.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.02304-24malariaextracellular vesiclesmolecular cargopathophysiologydiagnosisbiomarkers
spellingShingle Núria Sima
Alberto Ayllon-Hermida
Carmen Fernández-Becerra
Hernando A. del Portillo
Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
mBio
malaria
extracellular vesicles
molecular cargo
pathophysiology
diagnosis
biomarkers
title Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
title_full Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
title_fullStr Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
title_full_unstemmed Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
title_short Extracellular vesicles in malaria: proteomics insights, in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
title_sort extracellular vesicles in malaria proteomics insights in vitro and in vivo studies indicate the need for transitioning to natural human infections
topic malaria
extracellular vesicles
molecular cargo
pathophysiology
diagnosis
biomarkers
url https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.02304-24
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AT carmenfernandezbecerra extracellularvesiclesinmalariaproteomicsinsightsinvitroandinvivostudiesindicatetheneedfortransitioningtonaturalhumaninfections
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