Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
06:57
In Vivo Infection with Leishmania amazonensis to Evaluate Parasite Virulence in Mice
Published on: February 20, 2020
Lipoxin A4 receptor dependent leishmania infection.
Alexander Wenzel1, Ger Van Zandbergen
1Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Clinic of Ulm, Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, D-89081, Germany.
Autoimmunity
|October 9, 2009
Summary
Lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX) signaling enhances pathogen infectivity. Targeting ALX may offer new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases and infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- The lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX), previously known as Formyl Peptide Receptor Like-1 (FPRL-1), is expressed on neutrophils (PMN).
- ALX plays a role in inflammatory processes and modulates neutrophil functions.
- Previous research indicates ALX interacts with acute phase proteins and various peptides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ALX in pathogen infectivity.
- To determine if lipoxin A4 (LxA4) and leishmania chemotactic factor (LCF) influence pathogen invasion via ALX.
- To explore ALX as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized patients' synovial tissues from inflammatory arthritis.
- Investigated the interaction of LxA4 and LCF with the ALX pathway.
- Assessed the impact of ALX signaling on pathogen infectivity.
Main Results:
- Both LxA4 and LCF, released by Leishmania parasites, were found to increase pathogen infectivity.
- This increase in infectivity was dependent on the activation of the ALX receptor.
- ALX signaling demonstrated a dual role in modulating neutrophil functions, either activating or deactivating them.
Conclusions:
- The lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX) is implicated in modulating pathogen infectivity.
- Targeting the ALX pathway presents a potential strategy for developing novel therapeutics.
- This research opens avenues for treating inflammatory diseases and Leishmania infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Antiprotozoal 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...
01:30Leishmaniasis
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...