title: Intravascular schistosomes and complement.
abstract: Schistosomes are exposed to a variety of immunological effectors, such as host complement, in the bloodstream of their definitive hosts. The parasites are reported to possess a plethora of regulatory proteins, including molecules acquired from the host, which impede the complement cascade. Evidence for the presence of a surface C2-binding protein, a C3-binding protein and a C8- and C9-binding protein has been reported. In addition, a surface Fc receptor might bind immunoglobulin and limit its ability to fix complement. However, the actual protective role of these proteins in vivo remains unresolved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, Grafton, MA 01536, USA. Patrick.Skelly@Tufts.edu
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Skelly
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000276:immunology; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000276:immunology; D037582:Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000276:immunology*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D011951:Receptors, Complement