The role of CD81 in HCV and plasmodium infection

Abstract

Hepatitis C and malaria, two of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the world, are caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Plasmodium parasites, respectively. Both HCV particles and Plasmodium sporozoites, the mosquito- transmitted stage of the malaria parasite, infect and replicate in the liver. Whereas HCV enters cells by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Plasmodium sporozoite invasion is a specific active process that relies on the parasite motility machinery. Remarkably, both pathogens critically depend on the host tetraspanin CD81 to enter hepatocytes. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of CD81, tetraspaninenriched microdomains and CD81-associated partners during HCV and Plasmodium liver infection.