Endothelial cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels play a crucial role in maintaining blood vessel and organ function, and systemic health. Consequently, dysfunction of the endothelial barrier can have dire consequences in wide-ranging diseases like diabetes, sepsis and cerebral malaria.
In cerebral malaria, red blood cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum parasites accumulate in brain microvessels. This leads to endothelial activation and ultimately, dysfunction, characterized by disruption of the blood-brain barrier, clotting dysregulation, and brain swelling. The molecular
