Leishmania donovani infection causes distinct epigenetic DNA methylation changes in host macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Infection of macrophages by the intracellular protozoan Leishmania leads to down-regulation of a number of macrophage innate host defense mechanisms, thereby allowing parasite survival and replication. The underlying molecular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed epigenetic changes in macrophage DNA methylation in response to infection with L. donovani as a possible mechanism for Leishmania driven deactivation of host defense. We quantified and detected genome-wide changes of cytosine methylation status in the macrophage genome resulting from L. donovani infection. A high confidence set of 443 CpG sites was identified with changes in methylation that correlated with live L. donovani infection. These epigenetic changes affected genes that play a critical ro

SUBMITTER: Marr AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4192605 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature