Receptor tyrosine kinases and schistosome reproduction: new targets for chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Schistosome parasites still represent a serious public health concern and a major economic problem in developing countries. Pathology of schistosomiasis is mainly due to massive egg production by these parasites and to inflammatory responses raised against the eggs which are trapped in host tissues. Tyrosine kinases (TKs) are key molecules that control cell differentiation and proliferation and they already represent important targets in cancer therapy. During recent years, it has been shown that receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) signaling was active in reproductive organs and that it could regulate sexual maturation of schistosomes and egg production. This opens interesting perspectives for the control of transmission and pathogenesis of schistosomiasis based on new therapies targeting schi

SUBMITTER: Morel M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4102852 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature