Chronic infection by Leishmania amazonensis mediated through MAPK ERK mechanisms.
Leishmania amazonensis is an intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). CL is a neglected tropical disease responsible for infecting millions of people worldwide. L. amazonensis promotes alteration of various signaling pathways that are essential for host cell survival. Specifically, through parasite-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), L. amazonensis inhibits cell-mediated parasite killing and promotes its own survival by co-opting multiple host cell functions. In this review, we highlight Leishmania-host cell signaling alterations focusing on those specific to (1) motor proteins, (2) prevention of NADPH subunit phosphorylation impairing reactive oxygen species production, and (3) localized endosomal signaling to up-regulate ERK phosphorylation. This review will focus upon mechanisms and possible explanations as to how Leishmania spp. evades the various layers of defense employed by the host immune response.
Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, S429 CPHB, 145 Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Pedro A
PA
Martinez
Christine A
CA
Petersen
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D011992:Endosomes / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000276:immunology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000502:physiology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000276:immunology*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000276:immunology; D011173:Portraits as Topic
D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases