Perspectives on the Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell receptor interactions.
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The critical initial event is the interaction of the trypomastigote form of the parasite with host receptors. This review highlights recent observations concerning these interactions. Some of the key receptors considered are those for thromboxane, bradykinin, and for the nerve growth factor TrKA. Other important receptors such as galectin-3, thrombospondin, and laminin are also discussed. Investigation into the molecular biology and cell biology of host receptors for T. cruzi may provide novel therapeutic targets.
Villalta
Fernando
F
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immune Response, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA. fvillalta@mmc.edu
Scharfstein
Julio
J
Ashton
Anthony W
AW
Tyler
Kevin M
KM
Guan
Fangxia
F
Mukherjee
Shankar
S
Lima
Maria F
MF
Alvarez
Sandra
S
Weiss
Louis M
LM
Huang
Huan
H
Machado
Fabiana S
FS
Tanowitz
Herbert B
HB
D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000502:physiology*
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface