A_novel_chemically_differentiated_mouse_embryonic_stem_cell_based_model_to_study_liver_stages_of_Plasmodium_berghei. A_novel_chemically_differentiated_mouse_embryonic_stem_cell_based_model_to_study_liver_stages_of_Plasmodium_berghei

Asymptomatic and obligatory liver stage (LS) infection of Plasmodium parasites presents an attractive target for anti-malarial vaccine and drug development. However, lack of robust cellular models to study LS infection has hindered the discovery and validation of host genes essential for intrahepatic parasite development. Here, we present a novel, chemically differentiated mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) based LS infection model which supports complete development of P. berghei exoerythrocytic forms (EEFs) and can be used to define new host-parasite interactions. Using our model, we established that host Pnpla2, coding for adipose triglyceride lipase, is dispensable for P. berghei EEF development. In parallel, we also tested the suitability of in vitro differentiated human hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCs) to study LS of P. berghei and found it to be a sub-optimal infection model. Overall, our results present a new mouse ESCs-based P. berghei LS infection model which can be utilised to study the impact of host genetic variation on parasite development. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/