title: Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)-derived peptides activate rat peritoneal mast cells.
abstract: Short peptides with sequences derived from those found in the tegumental antigen of Fasciola hepatica have been synthesised. Incubation of some of these peptides with rat peritoneal mast cells resulted in the degranulation of the cells as measured by a histamine release assay. This activity was shown to be associated with the proline-lysine-proline motif, which is responsible for the induction of mast cell degranulation by the mammalian bioactive peptide substance P. Studies on the mode of action of the fluke-derived peptide indicated that it was operating through the same biochemical pathways as substance P. The implications of these findings for the development of immune responses during parasite infections are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology and Biochemistry, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK. a.trudgett@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trudgett
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harriott
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ennis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000737:chemistry*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D009439:Neuraminidase; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D002118:Calcium