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Irina Portier: The Role of Platelet mTOR in Adverse Heme-Induced Host Responses in Experimental Cerebral Malaria
Irina Portier/LinkedIn
Feb 1, 2026, 08:59

Irina Portier: The Role of Platelet mTOR in Adverse Heme-Induced Host Responses in Experimental Cerebral Malaria

Irina Portier, Postdoctoral Researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article she and her colleagues co-authored, adding:

“Thrilled to announce our latest publication in Blood. This study demonstrates that heme activates the mTOR pathway in platelets through ITAM signaling during malaria. Platelet activation responses are amplified by mTOR, worsening neuropathogenesis in a mouse model of experimental cerebral malaria. Blocking the heme-CLEC-2 axis enhances outcomes in experimental cerebral malaria by reducing platelet ITAM/mTOR signaling.

As I concluded my time in the US, I couldn’t ask for a more fitting way to wrap up than with the publication of this project, which has been a central focus throughout my journey there. I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved.

First, a heartfelt thank you to my mentors, Robert Campbell and Matthew Rondina, for your guidance, support, and patience, especially during the delays we faced in publishing this work. I am proud of what we accomplished together, and my experience in your labs has significantly shaped my growth as a scientist.

I also extend my appreciation to all co-authors: Frederik Denorme, Neal Tolley, Yasuhiro Kosaka, Izabella Andrianova, Paul Sigala, Tracey Lamb, Guy Zimmerman, Hugo Castro Faria Neto, and Craig Morrell for your experimental assistance, teaching of new techniques, and scientific advice.

Lastly, I want to thank my colleagues at the University of Utah and Washington University in St. Louis for making my work enjoyable and providing valuable feedback during lab meetings. I am also grateful to the American Society of Hematology for their belief in this project and supporting me with an ASH Scholar Award.”

Title: Heme-induced ITAM signaling exacerbates malaria-associated neuropathogenesis through activation of platelet mTOR

Authors: Irina Portier, Frederik Denorme, Neal D. Tolley, Yasuhiro Kosaka, Izabella Andrianova, Paul A. Sigala, Tracey Lamb, Guy A. Zimmerman, Hugo C. Castro Faria Neto, Craig N Morrell, Matthew T Rondina, Robert A Campbell

Read the Full Article on Blood

Irina Portier: The Role of Platelet mTOR in Adverse Heme-Induced Host Responses in Experimental Cerebral Malaria

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Craig N Morrell Frederik Denorme Guy A. Zimmerman Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Hugo C. Castro Faria Neto Irina Portier Izabella Andrianova Malaria Matthew T. Rondina Neal D. Tolley Paul A. Sigala Robert A. Campbell thrombosis Tracey Lamb Yasuhiro Kosaka
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