title: Decoding caspase signaling in host immunity to the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: Caspases, a family of cysteinyl-aspartate-specific proteases, induce apoptosis but are also involved in signal transduction in live cells. Caspase activation and apoptosis in T lymphocytes occur following infection with parasites and might affect immune responses. Rapid progress has occurred in the development and testing of caspase inhibitors and other apoptosis blockers, which are potentially useful for treating diseases associated with the pathogenic effects of apoptosis. Pharmacological approaches and the use of genetically modified hosts can be combined in research strategies to understand how apoptosis and caspase signaling affect the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil. marcelal@biof.ufrj.br
authors.forename: Marcela F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Landi V C
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Guillermo
authors.forename: Elisabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000502:physiology*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D020169:Caspases