Pre-erythrocytic stage of malaria showing points of intervention. Mosquito deposits sporozoites in the dermis during a blood meal. Sporozoites traverse the dermis in search of a CD31+blood vessel, penetrates it and enter the blood circulation.
A) Interventions at this stage could target blocking CD31 as well as inhibition of sporozoite motility. Sporozoites migrate through kupffer cells in the liver sinusoid, a process believed to be mediated by CD68; B) Intervention at this point could target CD68 and prevent sporozoites liver entry. Sporozoites traverse several hepatocytes before finally invading one. Recent reports reveal the role of EphA2 in this selection process; C) EPhA2 targeting could inhibit productive invasion of hepatocytes.