Proinflammatory responses by glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) of Plasmodium falciparum are mainly mediated through the recognition of TLR2/TLR1

► The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors of malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, activate macrophages through TLR2-mediated signaling, leading to MAPK and NF-κB activation and downstream cytokine production. ► The P. falciparum GPIs are preferentially recognized by TLR2-TLR1 dimer rather than TLR2-TLR6 dimer. ► The selective recognition of P. falciparum GPIs by TLR2-TLR1 is analogous to that of bacterial triacylated lipoproteins or synthetic triacylated peptides.