Evaluation of the role of the endocytic receptor L-SIGN for cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

Hepatic cell populations play an important role during the malaria life cycle. L-SIGN, a homologue of DC-SIGN, mediating leukocyte and pathogen binding, is selectively expressed on liver endothelial cells. Here, we present evidence that L-SIGN acts as an endocytic cell surface receptor. However, P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes did not cytoadhere to L-SIGN. Thus, L-SIGN contributes to elimination of mannosylated ligands but does not participate in hepatic clearance of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes.