title: Intracellular protozoan parasites and apoptosis: diverse strategies to modulate parasite-host interactions.
abstract: Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is an important regulator of the host's response during infection with a variety of intracellular protozoan parasites. Parasitic pathogens have evolved diverse strategies to induce or inhibit host-cell apoptosis, thereby modulating the host's immune response, aiding dissemination within the host or facilitating intracellular survival. Here, we review the molecular and cell-biological mechanisms of the pathogen-induced modulation of host-cell apoptosis and its effects on the parasite-host interaction and the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases. We also discuss the previously unrecognized phenomenon of apoptotic cell death in (unicellular) protozoan parasites and its potential implications.
authors.affiliation: Department Bacteriology, Georg August University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany. clueder@gwdg.de
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lüder
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction