Ontological representation, modeling, and analysis of parasite vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic parasites are responsible for multiple diseases, such as malaria and Chagas disease, in humans and livestock. Traditionally, pathogenic parasites have been largely an evasive topic for vaccine design, with most successful vaccines only emerging recently. To aid vaccine design, the VIOLIN vaccine knowledgebase has collected vaccines from all sources to serve as a comprehensive vaccine knowledgebase. VIOLIN utilizes the Vaccine Ontology (VO) to standardize the modeling of vaccine data. VO did not model complex life cycles as seen in parasites. With the inclusion of successful parasite vaccines, an update in parasite vaccine modeling was needed. RESULTS: VIOLIN was expanded to include 258 parasite vaccines against 23 protozoan species, and 607 new parasite vaccine-related terms were added to VO since 2022. The updated VO design for parasite vaccines accounts for parasite life stages and for transmission-blocking vaccines. A total of 356 terms from the Ontology of Parasite Lifecycle (OPL) were imported to VO to help represent the effect of different parasite life stages. A new VO class term, 'transmission-blocking vaccine,' was added to represent vaccines able to block infectious transmission, and one new VO object property, 'blocks transmission of pathogen via vaccine,' was added to link vaccine and pathogen in which the vaccine blocks the transmission of the pathogen. Additionally, our Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of 140 parasite antigens used in the parasitic vaccines identified enriched features. For example, significant patterns, such as signal, plasma membrane, and entry into host, were found in the antigens of the vaccines against two parasite species: Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. The analysis found 18 out of the 140 parasite antigens involved with the malaria disease process. Moreover, a majority (15 out of 54) of P. falciparum parasite antigens are localized in the cell membrane. T. gondii antigens, in contrast, have a majority (19/24) of their proteins related to signaling pathways. The antigen-enriched patterns align with the life cycle stage patterns identified in our ontological parasite vaccine modeling. CONCLUSIONS: The updated VO modeling and GSEA analysis capture the influence of the complex parasite life cycles and their associated antigens on vaccine development.

A spatiotemporally resolved single-cell atlas of the Plasmodium liver stage.

Malaria infection involves an obligatory, yet clinically silent liver stage1,2. Hepatocytes operate in repeating units termed lobules, exhibiting heterogeneous gene expression patterns along the lobule axis3, but the effects of hepatocyte zonation on parasite development at the molecular level remain unknown. Here we combine single-cell RNA sequencing4 and single-molecule transcript imaging5 to characterize the host and parasite temporal expression programmes in a zonally controlled manner for the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We identify differences in parasite gene expression in distinct zones, including potentially co-adaptive programmes related to iron and fatty acid metabolism. We find that parasites develop more rapidly in the pericentral lobule zones and identify a subpopulation of periportally biased hepatocytes that harbour abortive infections, reduced levels of Plasmodium transcripts and parasitophorous vacuole breakdown. These 'abortive hepatocytes', which appear predominantly with high parasite inoculum, upregulate immune recruitment and key signalling programmes. Our study provides a resource for understanding the liver stage of Plasmodium infection at high spatial resolution and highlights the heterogeneous behaviour of both the parasite and the host hepatocyte.

Functionally distinct T-helper cell phenotypes predict resistance to different types of parasites in a wild mammal.

The adaptive immune system is critical to an effective response to infection in vertebrates, with T-helper (Th) cells pivotal in orchestrating these responses. In natural populations where co-infections are the norm, different Th responses are likely to play an important role in maintaining host health and fitness, a relationship which remains poorly understood in wild animals. In this study, we characterised variation in functionally distinct Th responses in a wild population of Soay sheep by enumerating cells expressing Th-subset specific transcription factors and quantifying Th-associated cytokines. We tested the prediction that raised Th1 and Th2 responses should predict reduced apicomplexan and helminth parasite burdens, respectively. All measures of Th-associated cytokine production increased with age, while Th17- and regulatory Th-associated cytokine production increased more rapidly with age in males than females. Independent of age, sex, and each other, IL-4 and Gata3 negatively predicted gastro-intestinal nematode faecal egg count, while IFN-γ negatively predicted coccidian faecal oocyst count. Our results provide important support from outside the laboratory that Th1 and Th2 responses predict resistance to different kinds of parasites, and illustrate how harnessing specific reagents and tools from laboratory immunology will illuminate our understanding of host-parasite interactions in the wild.

Optimal immune specificity at the intersection of host life history and parasite epidemiology.

Hosts diverge widely in how, and how well, they defend themselves against infection and immunopathology. Why are hosts so heterogeneous? Both epidemiology and life history are commonly hypothesized to influence host immune strategy, but the relationship between immune strategy and each factor has commonly been investigated in isolation. Here, we show that interactions between life history and epidemiology are crucial for determining optimal immune specificity and sensitivity. We propose a demographically-structured population dynamics model, in which we explore sensitivity and specificity of immune responses when epidemiological risks vary with age. We find that variation in life history traits associated with both reproduction and longevity alters optimal immune strategies-but the magnitude and sometimes even direction of these effects depends on how epidemiological risks vary across life. An especially compelling example that explains previously-puzzling empirical observations is that depending on whether infection risk declines or rises at reproductive maturity, later reproductive maturity can select for either greater or lower immune specificity, potentially illustrating why studies of lifespan and immune variation across taxa have been inconclusive. Thus, the sign of selection on the life history-immune specificity relationship can be reversed in different epidemiological contexts. Drawing on published life history data from a variety of chordate taxa, we generate testable predictions for this facet of the optimal immune strategy. Our results shed light on the causes of the heterogeneity found in immune defenses both within and among species and the ultimate variability of the relationship between life history and immune specificity.

Impact of Microorganisms and Parasites on Neuronally Controlled Drosophila Behaviours.

Like all invertebrates, flies such as Drosophila lack an adaptive immune system and depend on their innate immune system to protect them against pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. In recent years, it appears that the nervous systems of eucaryotes not only control animal behavior but also cooperate and synergize very strongly with the animals' immune systems to detect and fight potential pathogenic threats, and allow them to adapt their behavior to the presence of microorganisms and parasites that coexist with them. This review puts into perspective the latest progress made using the Drosophila model system, in this field of research, which remains in its infancy.

Evolution of Cellular Immunity Effector Cells; Perspective on Cytotoxic and Phagocytic Cellular Lineages.

The immune system has evolved to protect organisms from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasitic pathogens. In addition, it provides regenerative capacities, tissue maintenance, and self/non-self recognition of foreign tissues. Phagocytosis and cytotoxicity are two prominent cellular immune activities positioned at the base of immune effector function in mammals. Although these immune mechanisms have diversified into a wide heterogeneous repertoire of effector cells, it appears that they share some common cellular and molecular features in all animals, but also some interesting convergent mechanisms. In this review, we will explore the current knowledge about the evolution of phagocytic and cytotoxic immune lineages against pathogens, in the clearance of damaged cells, for regeneration, for histocompatibility recognition, and in killing virally infected cells. To this end, we give different immune examples of multicellular organism models, ranging from the roots of bilateral organisms to chordate invertebrates, comparing to vertebrates' lineages. In this review, we compare cellular lineage homologies at the cellular and molecular levels. We aim to highlight and discuss the diverse function plasticity within the evolved immune effector cells, and even suggest the costs and benefits that it may imply for organisms with the meaning of greater defense against pathogens but less ability to regenerate damaged tissues and organs.

Exposure of pelagic seabirds to Toxoplasma gondii in the Western Indian Ocean points to an open sea dispersal of this terrestrial parasite.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that uses felids as definitive hosts and warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. While the dispersal of T. gondii infectious oocysts from land to coastal waters has been well documented, transmission routes to pelagic species remain puzzling. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT titre ≥ 10) to detect antibodies against T. gondii in sera collected from 1014 pelagic seabirds belonging to 10 species. Sampling was carried out on eight islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Reunion and Juan de Nova (colonized by cats), Cousin, Cousine, Aride, Bird, Europa and Tromelin islands (cat-free). Antibodies against T. gondii were found in all islands and all species but the great frigatebird. The overall seroprevalence was 16.8% [95% CI: 14.5%-19.1%] but significantly varied according to species, islands and age-classes. The low antibody levels (MAT titres = 10 or 25) detected in one shearwater and three red-footed booby chicks most likely resulted from maternal antibody transfer. In adults, exposure to soils contaminated by locally deposited oocysts may explain the detection of antibodies in both wedge-tailed shearwaters on Reunion Island and sooty terns on Juan de Nova. However, 144 adults breeding on cat-free islands also tested positive. In the Seychelles, there was a significant decrease in T. gondii prevalence associated with greater distances to cat populations for species that sometimes rest on the shore, i.e. terns and noddies. This suggests that oocysts carried by marine currents could be deposited on shore tens of kilometres from their initial deposition point and that the number of deposited oocysts decreases with distance from the nearest cat population. The consumption of fishes from the families Mullidae, Carangidae, Clupeidae and Engraulidae, previously described as T. gondii oocyst-carriers (i.e. paratenic hosts), could also explain the exposure of terns, noddies, boobies and tropicbirds to T. gondii. Our detection of antibodies against T. gondii in seabirds that fish in the high sea, have no contact with locally contaminated soils but frequent the shores and/or consume paratenic hosts supports the hypothesis of an open-sea dispersal of T. gondii oocysts by oceanic currents and/or fish.

Epidemiology of Intestinal Parasites in a University Hospital in Northern Cyprus: A 4-year Retrospective Experience

Objective: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are considered as one of the most important public health problems that cause morbidity and mortality. For this reason, to determine their prevalence it is critical for prevention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Methods: In our study, a total of 4.957 patients registered to our hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms between January 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Their stool samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically. In the microscopy, native-lugol and formol ethyl acetate concentration methods were used. Crypto-Giardia-Entamoeba antigen test was applied. All cases were evaluated in terms of age, gender, year and season. Results: In our study group, 239 (4.8%) patients were detected as positive for intestinal parasites. Among these patients, 129 (54%) were male and 110 (46%) were female. No statistically significant difference was found between IPI and gender (p=0.228). Blastocystis hominis (76.2%) and Giardia intestinalis (12.1%) were the most common parasites. According to age groups, most intestinal parasites are found in 16-45 years old and least in 0-15-years-old (p=0.0001). A significant increase was found in positive intestinal parasite cases especially after 2018 (p=0.0001). Our study determined that intestinal parasites were observed most frequently in autumn (p=0.033). Conclusion: The prevalence of IPI in our country is low. However, due to the increasing trend of IPI since 2018, necessary measures must be implemented to prevent further increase in the number of cases. In addition, reasons behind the rising cases of intestinal parasites during the autumn months in which rainfall begins require further investigation.

Oral combination of eugenol oleate and miltefosine induce immune response during experimental visceral leishmaniasis through nitric oxide generation with advanced cytokine demand.

Conventional therapy of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains challenging with the pitfall of toxicity, drug resistance, and expensive. Hence, urgent need for an alternative approach is essential. In this study, we evaluated the potential of combination therapy with eugenol oleate and miltefosine in Leishmania donovani infected macrophages and in the BALB/c mouse model. The interactions between eugenol oleate and miltefosine were found to be additive against promastigotes and amastigotes with xΣFIC 1.13 and 0.68, respectively. Significantly (p < 0.001) decreased arginase activity, increased nitrite generation, improved pro-inflammatory cytokines, and phosphorylated p38MAPK were observed after combination therapy with eugenol oleate and miltefosine. >80% parasite clearance in splenic and hepatic tissue with concomitant nitrite generation, and anti-VL cytokines productions were observed after orally administered miltefosine (5 mg/kg body weight) and eugenol oleate (15 mg/kg body weight) in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice. Altogether, this study suggested the possibility of an oral combination of miltefosine with eugenol oleate against visceral leishmaniasis.

Lipid droplets and the host-pathogen dynamic: FATal attraction?

In the ongoing conflict between eukaryotic cells and pathogens, lipid droplets (LDs) emerge as a choke point in the battle for nutrients. While many pathogens seek the lipids stored in LDs to fuel an expensive lifestyle, innate immunity rewires lipid metabolism and weaponizes LDs to defend cells and animals. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites directly and remotely manipulate LDs to obtain substrates for metabolic energy, replication compartments, assembly platforms, membrane blocks, and tools for host colonization and/or evasion such as anti-inflammatory mediators, lipoviroparticles, and even exosomes. Host LDs counterattack such advances by synthesizing bioactive lipids and toxic nucleotides, organizing immune signaling platforms, and recruiting a plethora of antimicrobial proteins to provide a front-line defense against the invader. Here, we review the current state of this conflict. We will discuss why, when, and how LDs efficiently coordinate and precisely execute a plethora of immune defenses. In the age of antimicrobial resistance and viral pandemics, understanding innate immune strategies developed by eukaryotic cells to fight and defeat dangerous microorganisms may inform future anti-infective strategies.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Dogs play an important role as reservoirs of many zoonotic vector-borne pathogens worldwide, yet reports of canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) in Egypt are scarce. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from pet dogs (n = 500) of the three most common breeds (German Shepherd, Rottweiler and Pit Bull) in five Governates of Cairo (n = 230), Giza (n = 110), Al-Qalyubia (n = 60), Al-Gharbia (n = 60) and Kafr El-Sheikh (n = 40) with a hot desert climate. The presence of antibodies to Anaplasma spp. (A. phagocytophilum, A. platys), Ehrlichia spp. (E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii), Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) and Dirofilaria immitis were assessed using IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® ELISA tests. For each pathogen, risk factors (i.e. geographical area, keeping condition, sex, age, breed, tick infestation, weekly sanitation of dog enclosures and application of ectoparasiticides) were evaluated by logistic regression approach. RESULTS: In total, 18.2% (n = 91, 95% CI 15.1-21.8) of dogs scored seropositive for at least one pathogen, the most frequent being Ehrlichia spp. (n = 56; 11.2%; 95% CI 8.7-14.3) followed by Anaplasma spp. (n = 33; 6.6%, 95% CI 4.7-9.1), Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) (n = 9; 1.8%, 95% CI 0.9-3.4) and D. immitis (n = 7; 1.4%, 95% CI 0.9-2.9). In the tested population, 15.4% (95% CI 12.5-18.8) of dogs were exposed to a single pathogen while 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-4.2) and 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.4) were simultaneously exposed to two or three pathogens, respectively. Major risk factors associated with VBDs were living outdoors (Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001; Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001), female sex (Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.005), German Shepherd breed (Anaplasma spp., P = 0.04; Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.03), tick infestation (Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001; Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001; B. burgdorferi (s.l.), P = 0.003; D. immitis, P = 0.02), irregular sanitation (Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001; Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001; B. burgdorferi (s.l.), P = 0.002; D. immitis, P = 0.01) and not using ectoparasiticides (Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001; Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001; B. burgdorferi (s.l.), P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale seroepidemiological study of CVBDs in Egypt. Considering that all of the detected pathogens are potentially zoonotic, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet dogs and successful chemoprophylaxis are advocated.

Structural and biophysical correlation of anti-NANP antibodies with in vivo protection against P. falciparum.

The most advanced P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein-based malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S), confers partial protection but with antibody titers that wane relatively rapidly, highlighting the need to elicit more potent and durable antibody responses. Here, we elucidate crystal structures, binding affinities and kinetics, and in vivo protection of eight anti-NANP antibodies derived from an RTS,S phase 2a trial and encoded by three different heavy-chain germline genes. The structures reinforce the importance of homotypic Fab-Fab interactions in protective antibodies and the overwhelmingly dominant preference for a germline-encoded aromatic residue for recognition of the NANP motif. In this study, antibody apparent affinity correlates best with protection in an in vivo mouse model, with the more potent antibodies also recognizing epitopes with repeating secondary structural motifs of type I ß- and Asn pseudo 310 turns; such insights can be incorporated into design of more effective immunogens and antibodies for passive immunization.

P2RX7 at the Host-Pathogen Interface of Infectious Diseases.

The P2X7 receptor (P2RX7) is an important molecule that functions as a danger sensor, detecting extracellular nucleotides from injured cells and thus signaling an inflammatory program to nearby cells. It is expressed in immune cells and plays important roles in pathogen surveillance and cell-mediated responses to infectious organisms. There is an abundance of literature on the role of P2RX7 in inflammatory diseases and the role of these receptors in host-pathogen interactions. Here, we describe the current knowledge of the role of P2RX7 in the host response to a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths. We describe in vitro and in vivo evidence for the critical role these receptors play in mediating and modulating immune responses. Our observations indicate a role for P2X7 signaling in sensing damage-associated molecular patterns released by nearby infected cells to facilitate immunopathology or protection. In this review, we describe how P2RX7 signaling can play critical roles in numerous cells types in response to a diverse array of pathogens in mediating pathogenesis and immunity to infectious agents.

The Role of Microbiome and Genotype in Daphnia magna upon Parasite Re-Exposure.

Recently, it has been shown that the community of gut microorganisms plays a crucial role in host performance with respect to parasite tolerance. Knowledge, however, is lacking on the role of the gut microbiome in mediating host tolerance after parasite re-exposure, especially considering multiple parasite infections. We here aimed to fill this knowledge gap by studying the role of the gut microbiome on tolerance in Daphnia magna upon multiple parasite species re-exposure. Additionally, we investigated the role of the host genotype in the interaction between the gut microbiome and the host phenotypic performance. A microbiome transplant experiment was performed in which three germ-free D. magna genotypes were exposed to a gut microbial inoculum and a parasite community treatment. The gut microbiome inocula were pre-exposed to the same parasite communities or a control treatment. Daphnia performance was monitored, and amplicon sequencing was performed to characterize the gut microbial community. Our experimental results showed that the gut microbiome plays no role in Daphnia tolerance upon parasite re-exposure. We did, however, find a main effect of the gut microbiome on Daphnia body size reflecting parasite specific responses. Our results also showed that it is rather the Daphnia genotype, and not the gut microbiome, that affected parasite-induced host mortality. Additionally, we found a role of the genotype in structuring the gut microbial community, both in alpha diversity as in the microbial composition.

A review on the interactions between dendritic cells, filarial parasite and parasite-derived molecules in regulating the host immune responses.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is the second leading cause of parasitic disabilities that affects millions of people in India and several other tropical countries. The complexity of this disease is endorsed by various immunopathological consequences such as lymphangitis, lymphadenitis and elephantiasis. The immune evasion strategies that a filarial parasite usually follows are chiefly initiated with the communication between the invaded parasites and parasite-derived molecules, with the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) present on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Classically, the filarial parasites interact with the DCs resulting in lowering of CD4+ T-cell responses. These CD4+ T-cell responses are the key players behind the immune-mediated pathologies associated with LF. In chronic stage, the canonical pro-inflammatory immune responses are shifted towards an anti-inflammatory subtype, which is favouring the parasite survivability within the host. The central theme of this review article is to present the overall immune response elicited when an APC, particularly a DC, encounters a filarial parasite.

The Roles of Type I Interferon in Co-infections With Parasites and Viruses, Bacteria, or Other Parasites.

Parasites, bacteria, and viruses pose serious threats to public health. Many parasite infections, including infections of protozoa and helminths, can inhibit inflammatory responses and impact disease outcomes caused by viral, bacterial, or other parasitic infections. Type I interferon (IFN-I) has been recognized as an essential immune effector in the host defense against various pathogens. In addition, IFN-I responses induced by co-infections with different pathogens may vary according to the host genetic background, immune status, and pathogen burden. However, there is only limited information on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites and viruses, bacteria, or other parasites. This review summarizes some recent findings on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites, including Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Eimeria maxima, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Brugia malayi, or Schistosoma mansoni, and viruses or bacteria and co-infections with different parasites (such as co-infection with Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, and co-infection with Plasmodium spp. and H. polygyrus). The potential mechanisms of host responses associated with co-infections, which may provide targets for immune intervention and therapies of the co-infections, are also discussed.

The immunoglobulin G antibody response to malaria merozoite antigens in asymptomatic children co-infected with malaria and intestinal parasites.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with malaria and intestinal parasites is common in children in Africa and may affect their immune response to a malaria parasite infection. Prior studies suggest that co-infections may lead to increased susceptibility to malaria infection and disease severity; however, other studies have shown the reverse. Knowledge on how co-morbidities specifically affect the immune response to malaria antigens is limited. Therefore, this study sought to determine the prevalence of co-infection of malaria and intestinal parasites and its association with antibody levels to malaria merozoite antigens. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out in two villages with high transmission of malaria in Cameroon (Ngali II and Mfou) where mass drug administration (MDA) had been administered at ~6-month intervals (generally with albendazole or mebendazole). Children aged 1-15 years were enrolled after obtaining parental consent. A malaria rapid diagnostic test was used on site. Four (4) ml of peripheral blood was collected from each participant to determine Plasmodium falciparum infections by microscopy, haemoglobin levels and serology. Fresh stool samples were collected and examined by wet mount, Kato-Katz method and modified Ritchie concentration techniques. A Multiplex Analyte Platform assay was used to measure antibody levels. RESULTS: A total of 320 children were enrolled. The prevalence of malaria by blood smear was 76.3% (244/320) and prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasites was 16.9% (54/320). Malaria prevalence was highest in young children; whereas, intestinal parasites (IP+) were not present until after 3 years of age. All children positive for malaria had antibodies to MSP142, MSP2, MSP3 and EBA175. No difference in antibody levels in children with malaria-co infections compared to malaria alone were found, except for antibody levels to EBA-175 were higher in children co-infected with intestinal protozoa (p = 0.018), especially those with Entamoeba histolytica infections (p = 0.0026). CONCLUSION: Antibody levels to EBA175 were significantly higher in children co-infected with malaria and E. histolytica compared to children infected with malaria alone. It is important to further investigate why and how the presence of these protozoans might modulate the immune response to malaria antigens.

Interplays between inflammasomes and viruses, bacteria (pathogenic and probiotic), yeasts and parasites.

In recent years, scientists studying the molecular mechanisms of inflammation have discovered an amazing phenomenon - the inflammasome - a component of the innate immune system that can regulate the functional activity of effector cells during inflammation. At present, it is known that inflammasomes are multimolecular complexes (cytosolic multiprotein oligomers of the innate immune system) that contain many copies of receptors recognizing the molecular structures of cell-damaging factors and pathogenic agents. Inflammasomes are mainly formed in myeloid cells, and their main function is participation in the cleavage of the pro-IL-1ß and pro-IL-18 cytokines into their biologically active forms (IL-1ß, IL-18). Each type of microorganism influences particular inflammasome activation, and long-term exposure of the organism to viruses, bacteria, yeasts or parasites, among others, can induce uncontrolled inflammation and autoinflammatory diseases. Therefore, this review aims to present the most current scientific data on the molecular interplay between inflammasomes and particular microorganisms. Knowledge about the mechanisms responsible for the interaction between the host and certain types of microorganisms could contribute to the individuation of innovative strategies for the treatment of uncontrolled inflammation targeting a specific type of inflammasome activated by a specific type of pathogen.

The Interactions of Parasite Calreticulin With Initial Complement Components: Consequences in Immunity and Virulence.

Because of its capacity to increase a physiologic inflammatory response, to stimulate phagocytosis, to promote cell lysis and to enhance pathogen immunogenicity, the complement system is a crucial component of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, many infectious agents resist the activation of this system by expressing or secreting proteins with a role as complement regulatory, mainly inhibitory, proteins. Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, a reemerging microbial ailment, possesses several virulence factors with capacity to inhibit complement at different stages of activation. T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCalr) is a highly-conserved, endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone that the parasite translocates to the extracellular environment, where it exerts a variety of functions. Among these functions, TcCalr binds C1, MBL and ficolins, thus inhibiting the classical and lectin pathways of complement at their earliest stages of activation. Moreover, the TcCalr/C1 interaction also mediates infectivity by mimicking a strategy used by apoptotic cells for their removal. More recently, it has been determined that these Calr strategies are also used by a variety of other parasites. In addition, as reviewed elsewhere, TcCalr inhibits angiogenesis, promotes wound healing and reduces tumor growth. Complement C1 is also involved in some of these properties. Knowledge on the role of virulence factors, such as TcCalr, and their interactions with complement components in host-parasite interactions, may lead toward the description of new anti-parasite therapies and prophylaxis.