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The hitchhiker's guide to parasite dissemination
Lisa L Drewry1, L David Sibley1
1Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Cellular Microbiology
|June 21, 2019
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection alters immune cell migration. Instead of crossing barriers, T. gondii enhances monocyte/macrophage movement within tissues, promoting parasite dissemination.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a widespread parasitic protist infecting diverse host cells.
- T. gondii uses gliding motility for invasion and dissemination.
- Leukocyte hijacking is a known dissemination route, traditionally linked to crossing biological barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on T. gondii dissemination mechanisms.
- To challenge the traditional view of leukocyte migration in T. gondii infection.
- To elucidate how T. gondii manipulates host cell migration for spread.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies investigating T. gondii's effect on leukocyte migration.
- Examination of parasite-host cell interactions.
Main Results:
- T. gondii infection downregulates transendothelial migration in infected monocytes.
- T. gondii enhances Rho-dependent interstitial migration of monocytes and macrophages.
- This enhanced interstitial migration promotes parasite dissemination within host tissues.
Conclusions:
- T. gondii employs multiple strategies for host dissemination.
- Parasite infection modifies host cell migration, favoring tissue spread over barrier crossing.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for controlling T. gondii infections.