VSAs
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27769-6_4396-1
This term represents the abbreviation for “variable surface antigens,” which are produced by the parasite and found on the surface of, e.g., parasitized erythrocytes (in the case of Plasmodium infections). These VSAs promote the adhesion of infected erythrocytes to endothelium cells of the host and also act antigenetically to the host immune system. In order to mitigate host immune defense, the malarial parasites (and others) have evolved from a variety of VSA genes.
Keywords
Endothelium Cell Immune System Surface Antigen Immune Defense Host Immune System
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015