Leishmania and Its Host Cell: A Complex Relationship

摘要

Leishmania parasites invade host macrophages, causing infections that are either limited to skin (cutaneous), or spread to internal organs (visceral). Macrophage-parasite interactions were investigated for three Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis: L. major, L. aethiopica and L. tropica, using a monocyte cell line (THP-1). Fluorescence 2-D Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) was used and proteins differentially expressed during infection were identified. Over 100 proteins showed significant changes of expression following infection with each of the three species tested. Proteins of interest were then separated, digested with trypsin and the peptide masses measured using MALDI-TOF. The identities of the proteins were elucidated by PMF. The identities and the involvement of the DE proteins will be discussed.