Immunopathogenesis of Onchocerca volvulus keratitis (river blindness): a novel role for endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria.
River blindness is thought to occur as a result of the host response to degenerating microfilariae in the eye. Utilizing a murine model of corneal inflammation (keratitis) to investigate the immune and inflammatory responses associated with river blindness, we recently demonstrated an important role for endotoxin-like products from endosymbiotic bacteria and for activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). These observations have led to a new understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease
Pearlman
Eric
E
Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, 2109 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. exp2@po.cwru.edu
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000276:immunology*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015827:Onchocerciasis, Ocular / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000276:immunology*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors