The Targets of the Lytic Antibody Response against Trypanosoma cruzi

• Published in: Parasitology today (Regular ed.) Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 31 - 34
• Main Authors: Krautz, G.M, Kissinger, J.C, Krettli, A.U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.01.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: 160 kDa CRP; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan - biosynthesis; Antibodies, Protozoan - immunology; Antigens, Protozoan - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; CD55 Antigens - genetics; CD55 Antigens - immunology; Chagas Disease - immunology; Complement Pathway, Alternative - immunology; Complement Pathway, Classical - immunology; Complement regulatory protein (CRP); Complement resistance; Experimental protozoal diseases and models; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Humans; Infectious diseases; Lytic antibodies; Medical sciences; Mice; Parasitic diseases; Protozoal diseases; Trypanosoma cruzi - genetics; Trypanosoma cruzi - immunology; Trypomastigote decay-accelerating factor (T-DAF); Lytic antibodies; Parasitology; Immunology; Complement resistance; Trypomastigote decay-accelerating factor (T-DAF); 160 kDa CRP; Complement regulatory protein (CRP); Kinetoplastida; Protozoa; Host parasite relation; Protozoal disease; Immune response; Parasite; Chagas disease; Complement; Parasitosis; Cell surface; Trypanosoma cruzi; Infection; Target; Vertebrata; Sensitivity resistance; Pathogenic; Lysis; Diagnosis; Trypanosomiasis
• ISSN: 0169-4758; 1873-1473
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-4758(99)01581-1

Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, but not epimastigotes, are normally resistant to the lytic effects of complement from vertebrate hosts susceptible to infection. This resistance facilitates parasite survival and infectivity. During the course of chronic infections, however, the vertebrate hosts produce antibodies that render the trypomastigotes sensitive to lysis, primarily via the alternative complement cascade and amplified by the classical pathway. Here, Greice Krautz, Jessica Kissinger and Antoniana Krettli summarize research on lytic antibodies, and on their respective target(s) on the T. cruzi surface. These targets are useful in tests aimed at the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease for control of cure after specific treatment and for vaccine development.