WT erythrocytes are invaded more efficiently than DKO erythrocytes.

Each graph is representative of 2 identical experiments. (A) RBCs from DKO, HET, or WT mice were biotinylated and transfused into BALB/c mice infected with P yoelii to measure the parasite invasion rate using the in vivo invasion assay. Recipient mice were bled at 24 and 48 hours after transfusion. Data are presented as the mean and standard deviation of the percentage of transfused cells that are thiazole orange positive. The invasion rate of P yoelii is significantly greater in the WT-type RBCs than in DKO RBCs or HET RBCs. Groups with different letters are significantly different from each other (P < .0001). (B) In a separate experiment, the invasion rate of P chabaudi at 24 and 48 hours was measured in DKO and WT RBCs. There is no difference in invasion rate between the groups at either time point after infection.