Splenic macrophage-B cell axis drives systemic autoimmune-like pathology in Cerebral Malaria.

Abstract

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium infection, classically attributed to parasite sequestration and neuroinflammation. Here, we uncover a spleen-centered humoral autoimmune circuit that drives CM pathology. Proteomic analyses identify CD36 as a dominant host-derived antigen enriched in infected red blood cells (iRBCs), triggering anti-CD36 autoantibody production in patients with falciparum malaria. Although contributing to iRBCs clearance, these autoantibodies also target other CD36-expressing cells, thereby driving thrombocytopenia, endothelial injury, and macrophage activation, ultimately amplifying systemic inflammation. Mechanistically, Plasmodium infection recruits Ly6c⁺Glut1^hi macrophages to the spleen through the CCL2-CCR2 axis. These macrophages exhibit elevated proteasome activity and drive B cell activation and anti-CD36 antibody production. Targeting Ly6c⁺Glut1^hi macrophages, we develop Glutoborin, a GLUT1-directed proteasome inhibitor that preferentially suppresses their function, reduces autoantibody production, and alleviates CM-associated pathology in vivo. Together, these findings establish a spleen-centered anti-CD36 autoimmune circuit as a key driver of CM and nominate Ly6c⁺Glut1^hi macrophages as therapeutic targets.