The lysis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei by human serum

Nature Biotechnology
S Tomlinson, J Raper

Abstract

The natural immunity of humans to the cattle pathogen Trypanosoma brucei brucei, but not to the morphologically indistinguishable human pathogens T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei rhodesiense, is due to the selective killing of the parasite by normal human serum. The factor in human serum that mediates lysis of T. brucei brucei has long been attributed to a minor subclass of high density lipoprotein (HDL). Evidence indicates that the trypanolytic activity of isolated human HDL is due to peroxidase activity of an associated haptoglobin-related protein-hemoglobin complex. However, recent data suggest that the trypanolytic activity of HDL may be completely inhibited in whole human serum, and that trypanolytic activity of norman human serum is due to a second, less well-defined factor of high molecular weight. Current research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of cytotoxicity and the affected metabolic pathways may open new approaches for the development of specific drugs and vaccines against trypanosomiasis.

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Citations

Dec 12, 2003·Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology·Heather ImrieKaren P Day
Mar 20, 2001·Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology·M BerberofE Pays
Aug 10, 2001·Current Opinion in Microbiology·J RaperS Tomlinson
Jan 9, 1999·Clinical Microbiology Reviews·G Hide
Mar 20, 1999·Infection and Immunity·J RaperS Tomlinson

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