Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

In Vivo Infection with Leishmania amazonensis to Evaluate Parasite Virulence in Mice
06:57

In Vivo Infection with Leishmania amazonensis to Evaluate Parasite Virulence in Mice

Published on: February 20, 2020

Leishmania amazonensis: multiple receptor-ligand interactions are involved in amastigote infection of human dendritic

Maira Cegatti Bosetto1, Selma Giorgio

  • 1Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, Cep 13083-970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Experimental Parasitology
|February 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes infect human dendritic cells (DCs) through multiple receptor-ligand interactions. Antibodies, complement, and proteoglycans mediate parasite entry into DCs.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites residing in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs).
  • Understanding parasite entry mechanisms into DCs is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro mechanisms of Leishmania amazonensis amastigote entry into human DCs.
  • To identify the specific receptor-ligand interactions involved in parasite uptake.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of human DCs with Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes (Am nude).
  • Assessing infection rates with opsonized and non-opsonized parasites.
  • Investigating the role of antibodies, complement, and heparin-binding proteins in parasite uptake.

Main Results:

  • DC infection rate with Am nude was 36%, increasing to 60-62% with serum opsonization.
  • Heat inactivation and antibody depletion reduced infection rates.
  • Heparin pre-treatment inhibited DC infection.
  • Mannose-fucose receptors were not implicated in Am nude uptake.

Conclusions:

  • Leishmania amazonensis amastigote entry into human DCs involves multiple receptor-ligand interactions.
  • Antibodies/FcR, complement components/CR, and proteoglycans/heparin-binding proteins are key mediators of parasite infection.

Related Concept Videos

Leishmaniasis01:30

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
Antiprotozoal Agents01:21

Antiprotozoal Agents

Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...