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Interactions of antimicrobial peptides with Leishmania and trypanosomes and their functional role in host parasitism

Bradford S McGwire1, Manjusha M Kulkarni

  • 1Center for Microbial Interface Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. brad.mcgwire@osumc.edu

Experimental Parasitology
|February 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) disrupt trypanosomatid protozoa membranes and affect intracellular functions. This review explores AMPs

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key innate immune components in hosts of trypanosomatids.
  • Pathogenic trypanosomatids, including Leishmania and Trypanosoma species, are targeted by AMPs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review AMP interactions with trypanosomatid protozoa.
  • To identify potential cellular targets of AMP activity.
  • To explore AMPs' influence on parasite growth, differentiation, and infection outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on AMPs and trypanosomatids.
  • Analysis of in vitro studies demonstrating AMP activity.
  • Discussion of proposed intracellular mechanisms and host-parasite interactions.

Main Results:

  • AMPs exhibit in vitro activity against trypanosomatids, primarily by disrupting parasite membranes.
  • AMPs can localize intracellularly, affecting host cell calcium, mitochondria, and inducing cell death pathways (autophagy, necrosis, apoptosis).

Conclusions:

  • AMPs represent a promising therapeutic avenue against trypanosomatid infections.
  • Further research into AMP mechanisms and host interactions is crucial for understanding infection outcomes.

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