A large repertoire of parasite epitopes matched by a large repertoire of host immune receptors in an invertebrate host/parasite model.

ABSTRACT: For many decades, invertebrate immunity was believed to be non-adaptive, poorly specific, relying exclusively on sometimes multiple but germ-line encoded innate receptors and effectors. But recent studies performed in different invertebrate species have shaken this paradigm by providing evidence for various types of somatic adaptations at the level of putative immune receptors leading to an enlarged repertoire of recognition molecules. Fibrinogen Related Proteins (FREPs) from the mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata are an example of these putative immune receptors. They are known to be involved in reactions against trematode parasites. Following not yet well understood somatic mechanisms, the FREP repertoire varies considerably from one snail to another, showing a trend towards an individualizat

SUBMITTER: Mone Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935394 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature