title: Epigenetics: A New Model for Intracellular Parasite-Host Cell Regulation.
abstract: Intracellular protozoan parasites are an extremely important class of pathogens that cause a spectrum of diseases in human and animal hosts. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that protozoan parasites, like other prokaryotic and viral pathogens, manipulate host cells via epigenetic modifications of the host genome that alter transcription and corresponding signaling pathways. In light of these data, we examine the role of epigenetics in downregulation of host macrophages by Leishmania that could potentially lead to a permanent state of inactivation, thus favoring pathogen survival and disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Immunity and Infection Research Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Electronic address: robm@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Robert McMaster
authors.affiliation: Immunity and Infection Research Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Charlotte J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kobor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D016678:Genome; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000502:physiology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000469:parasitology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction
keywords: DNA methylation; Leishmania; Theileria; Toxoplasma; epigenetics; exosomes.; histone modification; ncRNA