Thiruvananthapuram: Scientists at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) have identified a previously unknown mechanism that enables malaria parasites to survive treatment with artemisinin, the world’s most widely used anti-malarial drug. Researchers believe the findings could open new avenues for developing malaria therapies that target host-parasite interactions, potentially improving the effectiveness of existing treatments and reducing treatment failures. The study also highlights the broader role of host cell biology in influencing the success of infectious diseases.
Host Cell Environment Protects Parasites
Researchers observed that parasites developing inside reticulocytes were significantly less susceptible to artemisinin and related drugs than those growing in mature red blood cells. The protective effect disappeared when the parasites were transferred back to mature cells, confirming that the phenomenon was linked to the host cell environment rather than permanent genetic changes.
Key Findings from the Study
Senior author Rajesh Chandramohanadas said the findings demonstrate that host-cell biology can significantly influence how malaria parasites respond to treatment. “The parasite is not acting alone. It exploits the natural antioxidant defences present in young blood cells to protect itself from drug-induced stress,” he said. Director of BRIC-RGCB, Beena Pillai, said the discovery could help explain why some malaria infections persist despite treatment, even in the absence of known genetic markers of drug resistance.
The findings reveal that immature red blood cells known as reticulocytes provide a protective biochemical environment that helps malaria parasites withstand drug-induced stress.
Challenging Long-Held Beliefs
The study, led by Christeen Davis and colleagues, challenges the long-held belief that artemisinin resistance is driven mainly by genetic changes within the parasite. Instead, researchers found that the host cell itself plays a crucial role in determining treatment outcomes.
Conducted in collaboration with scientists from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Cosmopolitan Hospital and CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, the study showed that reticulocytes contain abundant nutrients, antioxidants and protective enzymes. Malaria parasites infecting these cells gain access to these resources, enabling them to grow faster and better tolerate the oxidative stress caused by artemisinin.
Stay updated with the latest Thiruvananthapuram news. Download the TOI App.
About the Author
Rajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the Best Reporter Award by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.
