title: Does Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin modulate the complement system and angiogenesis?
abstract: Calreticulin, a calcium-binding protein that is highly conserved in its multiple functions, is present in a wide spectrum of subcellular compartments in virtually every cell of higher organisms. In this article, we propose a dual role for parasite calreticulin, with emphasis on the Trypanosoma cruzi model. By modulating the vertebrate complement system, calreticulin might provide the parasite with an effective immune-escape mechanism. Alternatively, by inhibiting angiogenesis, the parasite molecule might protect the host from ongoing neoplasic aggressions. Many questions are still unanswered, particularly those regarding the consequences that these interactions could have in vivo for both the parasite and the host.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Inmunología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile. aferreir@med.uchile.cl
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: María Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schwaeble
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lemus
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D043924:Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D037282:Calreticulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043924:Angiogenesis Modulating Agents; D037282:Calreticulin; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins