Fig. 4

Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in ex vivo perfused placental tissue. a Haematoxylin eosin stained section of placental tissue perfused with FCR3-CSA (magnification × 60). Infected erythrocyte accumulation in the intervillous space (open arrow) and on the syncytiotrophoblast (closed arrows) is shown. b Transmission electron micrograph of an FCR3-CSA infected erythrocyte in the intervillous space adjacent to syncytiotrophoblast microvilli (arrow) on both sides. c Magnification of b showing filamentous material connecting a knob on the infected erythrocyte (star) and a syncytiotrophoblast microvillus (arrow). d Scanning electron micrograph of the villous tree showing the complex architecture through which the maternal blood flows. e, f. Scanning electron micrographs showing VAR2CSA expressing infected erythrocytes adhering to syncytiotrophoblast