Deformability of iRBCs. (A,B) Elongation index (EI) of RBCs measured at different shear stresses. (C) EI of cultured ring-iRBCs and schizont-iRBCs at increasing parasitemia at 30 Pa (mean and SD of 4 independent experiments). The mean (95% CI) of the extrapolated EI of ring-iRBC at 100% parasitemia is 0.47 (0.43-0.51). (D) Scanning electron microscopy of spleen samples processed at the end of the perfusion. Endoluminal view of sinus walls showing the typical string-like aspect of endothelial cells, with their nuclei (N) protruding in the sinus lumen. Circulating cells are emerging from interendothelial slits (arrows, bar represents 3 μm). Top left quadrangle represents marked deformation of RBCs squeezing through interendothelial slits.