Organotypic Endothelial Adhesion Molecules are Key For&amp;nbsp; &lt;i&gt;Trypanosoma Brucei&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;Tropism and Virulence

Niz, Mariana De; Brás, Daniela; Pedro, Mafalda; Nascimento, Ana Margarida; Franco, Claudio; Figueiredo, Luísa M.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3821966

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Similar strategies may be employed by trypanosomes. For instance, T. brucei relies on tissue invasion for the establishment of chronic infection and survival in the mammal [75], and we know that parasites in the blood and tissues express different VSGs [76]. Do certain VSGs favor tropism for specific tissues?…”

Section: Tissue Tropismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the variant surface glycoprotein family in African trypanosomes

Pereira

Jackson

Figueiredo

2022

Trends in Parasitology

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An intriguing and remarkable feature of African trypanosomes is their antigenic variation system, mediated by the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) family and fundamental to both immune evasion and disease epidemiology within host populations. Recent studies have revealed that the VSG repertoire has a complex evolutionary history. Sequence diversity, genomic organization, and expression patterns are species-specific, which may explain other variations in parasite virulence and disease pathology. Evidence also shows that we may be underestimating the extent to what VSGs are repurposed beyond their roles as variant antigens, establishing a need to examine VSG functionality more deeply. Here, we review sequence variation within the VSG gene family, and highlight the many opportunities to explore their likely diverse contributions to parasite survival. VSGs are variant antigens key to the survival of African trypanosomesVSGs are major surface antigens of African trypanosomes, extracellular parasites of humans and animals. African trypanosomes alternate between a vector (typically a tsetse fly within Africa, but other blood-sucking insects beyond Africa) and a mammalian host (Box 1). African trypanosomes survive in the mammal using antigenic variation as a mechanism of immune evasion. VSGs are the variant antigens recognized by the host immune system during infection, and their modulation by the parasite can prevent long-lasting immunity (Box 2, and reviewed in [1]). African trypanosome genomes are furnished with several thousand VSG genes, perhaps 10-20% of total gene number, to provide the raw material for antigenic variation. But how has this pool of structural diversity evolved, and why are so many VSG genes required to evade immunity?

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Section: Tissue Tropismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the variant surface glycoprotein family in African trypanosomes

Pereira

Jackson

Figueiredo

2022

Trends in Parasitology

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Cell-to-Cell Heterogeneity in Trypanosomes

Luzak

López-Escobar

Siegel

et al. 2021

Annu. Rev. Microbiol.

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Recent developments in single-cell and single-molecule techniques have revealed surprising levels of heterogeneity among isogenic cells. These advances have transformed the study of cell-to-cell heterogeneity into a major area of biomedical research, revealing that it can confer essential advantages, such as priming populations of unicellular organisms for future environmental stresses. Protozoan parasites, such as trypanosomes, face multiple and often hostile environments, and to survive, they undergo multiple changes, including changes in morphology, gene expression, and metabolism. But why does only a subset of proliferative cells differentiate to the next life cycle stage? Why do only some bloodstream parasites undergo antigenic switching while others stably express one variant surface glycoprotein? And why do some parasites invade an organ while others remain in the bloodstream? Building on extensive research performed in bacteria, here we suggest that biological noise can contribute to the fitness of eukaryotic pathogens and discuss the importance of cell-to-cell heterogeneity in trypanosome infections. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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Organotypic Endothelial Adhesion Molecules are Key For  <i>Trypanosoma Brucei</i> Tropism and Virulence

Cited by 2 publications

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Evolution of the variant surface glycoprotein family in African trypanosomes

Evolution of the variant surface glycoprotein family in African trypanosomes

Cell-to-Cell Heterogeneity in Trypanosomes

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