River blindness: a role for parasite retinoid-binding proteins in the generation of pathology?
A new family of fatty acid- and retinoid-binding proteins has recently been identified in nematodes. These are apparently nematode specific and have very different structures and binding characteristics to their mammalian counterparts. Retinoids have important roles in vision, tissue differentiation and repair, and can profoundly affect collagen synthesis. Binding proteins released by a parasite might therefore play a part in the generation of the skin and eye pathology seen in river blindness. They might also be involved in the formation of the subcutaneous nodules induced by this parasite.
Bradley
J E
JE
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK NG7 2RD. jan.bradley@nottinham.ac.uk
Nirmalan
N
N
Kläger
S L
SL
Faulkner
H
H
Kennedy
M W
MW
D000818:Animals; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015827:Onchocerciasis, Ocular / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D012176:Retinoids; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins