The strategies of the Theileria parasite: a new twist in host–pathogen interactions

Dobbelaere, Dirk AE; Küenzi, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.coi.2004.05.009

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Journal article

The strategies of the Theileria parasite: a new twist in host–pathogen interactions

Dobbelaere, Dirk AE Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland
Küenzi, Peter Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

15.06.2004

Published in:

Current Opinion in Immunology. - 2004, vol. 16, no. 4, p. 524-530

English Theileria parasites infect and transform cells of the ruminant immune system. Continuous proliferation and survival of Theileria-transformed cells involves the well-orchestrated activation of several host-cell signalling pathways. Constitutive NF-κB (nuclear factor kappaB) activation is accomplished by recruiting the IKK (IκB kinase) complex, a central regulator of NF-κB pathways, to the surface of the transforming schizont, where it becomes permanently activated. Constitutive activation of the PI-3K–PKB [phosphoinositide 3-kinase–(Akt) protein kinase B] pathway is likely to be indirect and is essential for continuous proliferation. Theileria-transformed T cells express a range of anti-apoptotic proteins that can be expected to provide protection against apoptosis induced by death receptors, as well as cellular control mechanisms that are mobilised to eliminate cells that entered a cycle of uncontrolled proliferation.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Médecine

Language