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Cell signalling and Trypanosoma cruzi invasion
Barbara A Burleigh1, Aaron M Woolsey
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Bldg I Rm 713, Boston, MA 02115, USA. bburleig@hsph.harvard.edu
Cellular Microbiology
|November 13, 2002
Summary
Trypanosoma cruzi invades host cells by manipulating host signaling pathways, including wound repair mechanisms. This pathogen
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mammalian cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi is essential for pathogen survival.
- Trypanosomes utilize surface molecules and secreted factors to manipulate host cell signaling.
- Host cell responses and gene expression are modulated by T. cruzi, impacting infectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Trypanosoma cruzi invades mammalian cells.
- To understand the role of host cell signaling pathways in parasite entry and survival.
- To investigate the cell type-specific modulation of host responses by T. cruzi.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of host cell signaling pathways during T. cruzi invasion.
- Investigation of parasite surface molecules and secreted factors.
- Examination of host cell gene expression changes post-infection.
Main Results:
- T. cruzi actively manipulates host cell signaling pathways for invasion.
- The wound-repair pathway is exploited for lysosome-mediated parasite entry.
- Differential engagement of signaling pathways and gene expression modulation occurs in a cell-type-specific manner.
Conclusions:
- Trypanosoma cruzi employs a sophisticated strategy to invade host cells by hijacking host signaling.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing anti-parasitic therapies.
- Cell type-specific responses highlight the complexity of T. cruzi pathogenesis.