title: Molecular mechanisms of host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is an obligate intracellular protozoan pathogen. Overlapping mechanisms ensure successful infection, yet the relationship between these cellular events and clinical disease remains obscure. This review explores the process of cell invasion from the perspective of cell surface interactions, intracellular signaling, modulation of the host cytoskeleton and endosomal compartment, and the intracellular innate immune response to infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. c-epting@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Conrad L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Epting
authors.forename: Bria M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Engman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000469:parasitology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000469:parasitology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000469:parasitology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D002118:Calcium