Novel Defense Peptides from Platelets Kill Malaria Parasites

Abstract

PF4 (platelet factor 4) is the first host defense peptide identified from platelets that kills malaria parasites. In a recent study, a cyclic PF4 derivative, cPF4PD, is developed, which inherits the antiparasitic effect of PF4 but excludes its potential side effects. cPF4PD is a promising novel antimalarial agent of human origin.