A lesson in survival, by Giardia lamblia

ScientificWorldJournal. 2010 Oct 12:10:2019-31. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2010.200.

Abstract

In the relationships between host and parasites, there is a cross-talk that involves diverse mechanisms developed by two different genetic systems during years of evolution. On the one hand, immunocompetent hosts have developed effective innate and acquired immune responses that are used to restrict or avoid parasitism. On the other hand, parasites evade the immune response, expressing different antigens on their surface or by using other specific mechanisms, such as nutrient depletion. In this review, we analyze the survival mechanisms used by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia during infection. In particular, we examine the multiple roles played by the enzyme arginine deiminase during colonization of the gut, also involving the parasite's mechanism of antigenic variation. Potential drug targets for the treatment of giardiasis are also discussed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigenic Variation / immunology
  • Arginine / metabolism*
  • Giardia lamblia / immunology
  • Giardia lamblia / metabolism*
  • Giardia lamblia / physiology
  • Giardiasis / immunology
  • Giardiasis / metabolism*
  • Giardiasis / parasitology
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Arginine
  • Hydrolases
  • arginine deiminase