Antimalarial Activity of Human Group IIA Secreted Phospholipase A 2 in Relation to Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Oxidized Lipoproteins

The level of human group IIA secreted phospholipase A 2 (hGIIA sPLA 2 ) is increased in the plasma of malaria patients, but its role is unknown. In parasite culture with normal plasma, hGIIA is inactive against Plasmodium falciparum , contrasting with hGIIF, hGV, and hGX sPLA 2 s, which readily hydrolyze plasma lipoproteins, release nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and inhibit parasite growth.