New study out - first spatial map of malaria infection in the liver!

Check out our recent publication in Nature Communication, a collaborative study involving the Lundeberg Lab (KTH, SciLifeLab), the Vega-Rodriguez Lab (NIH), the Scott Lab (ViB, Gent University) and the Andersson Lab (Karolinska Insitutet). Our research combines Spatial Transcriptomics with single-nuclei RNA sequencing to investigate host response to Plasmodium berghei infection in liver tissues. We discovered differential gene expression related to lipid homeostasis at infection sites, possibly as a parasite immune evasion tactic. We also identified and characterized inflammatory hotspots (IHSs), which are enriched in immune cell infiltrates and may play a critical role in the liver’s immune response to malaria. These findings enhance our understanding of the spatial organization of host response during malaria infection in the liver and serve as a valuable resource for further research into malaria biology and potential therapeutic developments.  

To read a summary of our findings, follow the link to Stockholm University’s press release, where you will also find key insights provided by the main authors of the study!               

Link to the article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51418-2