Strategies by which some pathogenic trichomonads integrate diverse signals in the decision-making process

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2000 Jun;72(2):173-86. doi: 10.1590/s0001-37652000000200006.

Abstract

The interaction between each one of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus with their hosts is a complex process in which components associated to the cell surfaces of both parasites and host epithelial cells, and also to soluble components found in vaginal/urethral secretions, are involved. Either cytoadhesion or the cytotoxicity exerted by parasites to host cells can be dictated by virulence factors such as adhesins, cysteine proteinases, laminin-binding proteins, integrins, integrin-like molecules, a cell detachment factor, a pore-forming protein, and glycosidases among others. How trichomonads manipulate informations from the extracellular medium, transduce such informations, and respond to them by stimulating the activities of some surface molecules and/or releasing enzymes are the aspects concerning trichomonal virulence which are here briefly reviewed and discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epithelial Cells / parasitology
  • Extracellular Matrix / parasitology
  • Female
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / physiology
  • Humans
  • Iron / physiology
  • Male
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Trichomonas / cytology
  • Trichomonas / pathogenicity
  • Trichomonas / physiology*
  • Trichomonas Infections / diagnosis
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / cytology
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / pathogenicity
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / physiology
  • Urogenital System / parasitology

Substances

  • Iron