CXCL10 and cerebral malaria: We have reported that elevation of circulating CXCL10 and free heme induce apoptosis of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and astroglia/neuroglia (M059K) [6, 7], indicating the important roles played by circulating CXCL10 and free heme in mediating experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) and HCM pathogenesis, BBB integrity, and mortality [8, 9].