A metalloprotease produced by larval Schistosoma mansoni facilitates infection establishment and maintenance in the snail host by interfering with immune cell function.

ABSTRACT: Metalloproteases (MPs) have demonstrated roles in immune modulation. In some cases, these enzymes are produced by parasites to influence host immune responses such that parasite infection is facilitated. One of the best examples of parasite-mediated immune modulation is the matrix metalloprotease (MMP) leishmanolysin (Gp63), which is produced by species of the genus Leishmania to evade killing by host macrophages. Leishmanolysin-like proteins appear to be quite common in many invertebrates, however our understanding of the functions of these non-leishmania enzymes is limited. Numerous proteomic and transcriptomic screens of schistosomes, at all life cycle stages of the parasite, have identified leishmanolysin-like MPs as being present in abundance; with the highest levels being found durin

SUBMITTER: Hambrook JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6224180 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature