Complement receptor 3 mediates ruffle-like, actin-rich aggregates during phagocytosis of Leishmania infantum metacyclics.

ABSTRACT: The parasitic protozoan Leishmania infantum resides primarily in macrophages throughout mammalian infection. Infection is initiated by deposition of the metacyclic promastigote into the dermis of a mammalian host by the sand fly vector. Promastigotes enter macrophages by ligating surface receptors such as complement receptor 3 (CR3), inducing phagocytosis of the parasite. At the binding site of metacyclic promastigotes, we observed large asymmetrical aggregates of macrophage membrane with underlying actin, resembling membrane ruffles. Actin accumulation was observed at the point of initial contact, before phagosome formation and accumulation of peri-phagosomal actin. Ruffle-like structures did not form during phagocytosis of attenuated promastigotes or during phagocytosis of the intracellu

SUBMITTER: Dixit UG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7750307 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature