Cytokines, nitric oxide, heat shock proteins and virulence in Toxoplasma

C M Miller; N C Smith; A M Johnson

doi:10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01515-x

Cytokines, nitric oxide, heat shock proteins and virulence in Toxoplasma

Parasitol Today. 1999 Oct;15(10):418-22. doi: 10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01515-x.

Authors

C M Miller¹, N C Smith, A M Johnson

Affiliation

¹ Molecular Parasitology Unit, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Technology, Sydney, Westbourne Street, Gore Hill, New South Wales, Australia 2065. [email protected]

PMID: 10481156
DOI: 10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01515-x

Abstract

Elucidating the factors that play important roles in the expression of virulence by parasites is crucial to understanding disease pathogenesis and to developing control strategies rationally. Here, Kate Miller, Nick Smith and Alan Johnson, using Toxoplasma gondii as a model, argue that the interactions between the immune system and 70 kDa heat shock proteins of apicomplexan parasites profoundly influence parasite virulence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cytokines / metabolism*
Dendritic Cells / metabolism
Dendritic Cells / parasitology
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / immunology
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Macrophages / metabolism
Macrophages / parasitology
Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
Toxoplasma / metabolism
Toxoplasma / pathogenicity*
Toxoplasmosis / metabolism*
Toxoplasmosis / parasitology
Virulence

Substances

Cytokines
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
Nitric Oxide