1. VSG-GPI anchors of African trypanosomes: their role in macrophage activation and induction of infection-associated immunopathology.
- Author
-
Magez S, Stijlemans B, Baral T, and De Baetselier P
- Subjects
- Africa, Animals, Glycosylphosphatidylinositols chemistry, Humans, Macrophage Activation, Macrophages metabolism, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense immunology, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense pathogenicity, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense immunology, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense pathogenicity, Trypanosomiasis metabolism, Trypanosomiasis veterinary, Type C Phospholipases metabolism, Vaccination, Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma chemistry, Glycosylphosphatidylinositols immunology, Glycosylphosphatidylinositols physiology, Macrophages immunology, Trypanosomiasis immunology, Trypanosomiasis physiopathology, Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma immunology, Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma physiology
- Abstract
African trypanosomes express a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored variant-specific surface glycoprotein (VSG) as a protective coat. During infection, large amounts of VSG molecules are released into the circulation. Their interaction with various cells of the immune system underlies the severe infection-associated pathology. Recent results have shown that anti-GPI vaccination can prevent the occurrence of this pathology.
- Published
- 2002
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