The role of apoptosis in non-mammalian host-parasite relationships

It is clear that the roles of apoptosis in the interactions between the parasite and their non-mammalian hosts are multifaceted and highly dependent on individual associations between the two organisms involved. Whilst there are instances where both organisms appear to gain from the apoptotic mechanism induced, in the majority of cases apoptosis appears to favour only one of the parties. In the instances when the parasite benefits, the apoptosis has been related to infectivity and virulence, an interruption of the killing mechanism of the host, and liberation of the pathogen. However, there are occasions where the apoptotic process benefits the host, as controlled cell death has been associated with limiting the pathogen population, parasite migration within the host and, in some instances, actually killing the invading organism. Apoptosis thus appears to play several fundamental roles within the host-parasite relationship which is ultimately reflected in an effect on the host population either mediated through an alteration in host fecundity or reduction in host numbers. The next decade promises to be both exciting and productive with respect to our knowledge of the relationship between apoptosis in non-mammalian animals and infection. Over the last few years the information obtained from studies on the apoptotic process in mammals and invertebrates (i.e. C. elegans and Drosophila) have been effectively used to increase our understanding of the apoptotic process in other animals such as insects, fish and amphibians. Such knowledge has paved the way for extensive studies on the effect of infections to be carried out.