Extracellular Vesicles during TriTryps infection: Complexity and future challenges

Mol Immunol. 2021 Apr:132:172-183. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.01.008. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Abstract

The trypanosomatid pathogens Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, currently grouped as TriTryps, have evolved through the time to overcome the upfront innate immune response and establish the infection in humans adapting many aspects of the parasite-cell host interaction. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerge as critical structures carrying different key molecules from parasites and target cells that interact continuously during infection. Current information regarding the structure and composition of these vesicles provide new insights into the primary role of TriTryps-EVs reviewed in this work. Expanding knowledge about these critical vesicular structures will promote advances in basic sciences and in translational applications controlling pathogenesis in the neglected tropical diseases caused by TriTryps.

Keywords: Cell communication; Extracellular vesicles; Host-parasite interaction; Innate immunity; TriTryps; Trypanosomatids.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Extracellular Vesicles / immunology*
  • Extracellular Vesicles / parasitology
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Leishmania major / immunology*
  • Protozoan Infections / immunology*
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / immunology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / immunology*