Inhibition of translation of parasite mRNAs by microRNAs in AS RBCs. Both miR-451 and miR-223 are highly enriched in AS RBCs. After invasion by P falciparum, these miRNAs enter the parasite cytoplasm by penetrating the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (dashed blue circle), the vacuole (white space), and the parasite's plasma membrane (solid blue circle). The miRNAs are then trans-spliced onto the 5′ ends of specific P falciparum mRNAs. Translation is blocked in these chimeric RNAs, leading to impaired parasite growth. Adapted from Duraisingh and Lodish⁴⁹  with permission.