Sending a message: extracellular vesicles of pathogenic protozoan parasites.
Parasitic unicellular eukaryotes use extracellular vesicles (EVs) as vehicles for intercellular communication and host manipulation. By using various mechanisms to generate EVs and by transferring a wide range of molecules through EVs, pathogenic protozoans are able to establish infective niches, modulate the immune system of the host and cause disease. In addition to effects on the host, EVs are able to transfer virulence factors, drug-resistance genes and differentiation factors between parasites. In this Progress article, we explore recent insights into the biology of EVs from human infectious protozoan parasites, including Trichomonas vaginalis, Plasmodium spp. and kinetoplastids, such as Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Anthony J
AJ
Szempruch
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Lauren
L
Dennison
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Rudo
R
Kieft
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
John M
JM
Harrington
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Stephen L
SL
Hajduk
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002450:Cell Communication; D000067128:Extracellular Vesicles / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D010271:Parasites / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000502:physiology
D037521:Virulence Factors