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Sending a message: extracellular vesicles of pathogenic protozoan parasites

Anthony J Szempruch1, Lauren Dennison1, Rudo Kieft1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|September 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pathogenic protozoan parasites use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to communicate, manipulate hosts, and spread disease. These EVs transfer molecules, aiding parasite survival and drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for intercellular communication in parasitic unicellular eukaryotes.
  • Pathogenic protozoans utilize EVs to manipulate host environments and immune responses, facilitating disease establishment.
  • EVs mediate the transfer of virulence factors, drug resistance genes, and differentiation factors between parasites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the biology of EVs from human infectious protozoan parasites.
  • To highlight the diverse roles of EVs in parasite-host interactions and parasite-parasite communication.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent progress in the field.
  • Focus on key protozoan species: *Trichomonas vaginalis*, *Plasmodium* spp., and kinetoplastids (*Trypanosoma* spp., *Leishmania* spp.).

Main Results:

  • Protozoan EVs are generated through various mechanisms.
  • EVs carry a wide array of molecules, including virulence factors and genetic material.
  • EVs play significant roles in host immune modulation and parasite adaptation.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles are central to the pathogenesis and intercellular dynamics of parasitic protozoa.
  • Further research into protozoan EVs can reveal novel therapeutic targets for infectious diseases.

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