Glycolipids are potential targets for protozoan parasite diseases.
Induction of sterilizing immunity by vaccination is extremely difficult because of the evasion mechanisms developed by parasites, and identification of new targets for therapy is therefore important. Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) of parasites are glycolipids that participate in pathogenicity of parasitic diseases. Studies of Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei indicate that GPIs are good candidates for developing vaccines against malaria and sleeping sickness, respectively. By contrast, fatty acids isolated from P. falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines induced by the GPIs in macrophages. GPIs are considered to be toxins that, if present in large amounts, induce irreversible damages to the host, and treatment with fatty acids could reduce this effect.
Debierre-Grockiego
Françoise
F
UMR Université-INRA 0483, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Immunologie Parasitaire, Vaccinologie et Biothérapies anti-infectieuses, 31 Avenue Monge, F-37200 Tours, France. francoise.debierre@univ-tours.fr
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002648:Child; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D005227:Fatty Acids; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols