Fig. 3

Parasites selected for CHO CD36 binding show reduced binding when cells have been in culture for multiple days. a After 1 day in culture CD36-selected parasites bind significantly better to CHO CD36 cells compared with unselected and uninfected erythrocytes (p < 0.0001). CD36 selected parasites also bind CHO WT cells better than unselected parasites but without being statistically significant (p > 0.05). b In contrast after 2 days in culture no specific binding was noticed when selected vs unselected parasites were compared (p > 0.05). However, selected parasites bound significantly better to both CHO WT and CHO CD36 compared with uninfected erythrocytes (p < 0.03). c After 4 days in culture no statistical difference in cytoadhesion was observed (p > 0.08). d Specificity of CD36 binding was assessed by inhibiting CD36 with an antibody directed against the receptor. At the highest antibody concentration applied binding was inhibited to approximately 30% of the initial binding. e To assess whether the phenotype was of a type that has been predicted to bind CD36 var gene profiling was performed. The five most abundant transcripts are shown. Bar graphs in a–c represent mean values and error bars show standard deviation. The line graph in d shows mean values with standard deviations