Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse’s vector competence
Domain:
healthcareCreator:
EmrAurXiaXin
Publisher:
Nat
Host:
Significance
Insects are responsible for transmitting protozoan parasites that cause fatal diseases in humans. While the underlying mechanisms by which parasites evade mammalian immune responses have been extensively studied, less is known about how parasites promote their survival in the insect vectors. An in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie vector–parasite associations can lead to the generation of novel transmission-blocking tools. Here, we show an adaptive coevolutionary process that enables the African trypanosomes to overcome the tsetse peritrophic matrix, a major barrier to infection outcome in the gut. Disrupting this manipulative process could prevent establishment of infections in the vector and reduce transmission.
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