Mucin AgC10 from Trypanosoma cruzi Interferes with L-selectin-mediated monocyte adhesion

Infect Immun. 2010 Mar;78(3):1260-8. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00794-09. Epub 2010 Jan 11.

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi has evolved sophisticated systems to evade the immune response. An important requirement for a productive immune response is recruitment of the appropriate immune cells from the bloodstream to the sites of infection. Here, we show that a mucin expressed and secreted by the metacyclic infective form of T. cruzi, AgC10, is able to interfere with L-selectin-mediated monocyte adhesion. Thus, incubation of U937 monocytic cells stably expressing L-selectin (U937LAM) with AgC10 strongly reduced their adhesion on P-selectin under flow, which is dependent on L-selectin. This treatment also results in a significant inhibition by AgC10 of U937LAM and human primary monocyte adhesion to activated vascular endothelium. This effect was specific for L-selectin, because vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)-mediated adhesion was not affected by AgC10 pretreatment. This effect of AgC10 is likely due to its ability to induce L-selectin shedding from the monocyte membrane, since pharmacologic blocking of this shedding prevents AgC10 activity. This is the first description of a mechanism that prevents leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium by a parasite and represents a new potential countermeasure to evade the generation of a correct immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • L-Selectin / immunology*
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / immunology*
  • Monocytes / parasitology*
  • Mucins / immunology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Mucins
  • L-Selectin