Innate resistance against Toxoplasma gondii: an evolutionary tale of mice, cats, and men
Ricardo T Gazzinelli1, Rondon Mendonça-Neto2, Jingtao Lilue3
1Immunopathology Laboratory, René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation-Minas Gerais, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605-02324, USA.
Abstract:
Recent studies have revealed remarkable species specificity of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) TLR11 and TLR12 and the immunity-related GTPase (IRG) proteins that are essential elements for detection and immune control of Toxoplasma gondii in mice, but not in humans. The biological and evolutionary implications of these findings for the T. gondii host-pathogen relationship and for human disease are discussed.


