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Sending a message: extracellular vesicles of pathogenic protozoan parasites

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 14, pages 669–675 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Parasitic unicellular eukaryotes use extracellular vesicles (EVs) as vehicles for intercellular communication and host manipulation. By using various mechanisms to generate EVs and by transferring a wide range of molecules through EVs, pathogenic protozoans are able to establish infective niches, modulate the immune system of the host and cause disease. In addition to effects on the host, EVs are able to transfer virulence factors, drug-resistance genes and differentiation factors between parasites. In this Progress article, we explore recent insights into the biology of EVs from human infectious protozoan parasites, including Trichomonas vaginalis, Plasmodium spp. and kinetoplastids, such as Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp.

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Figure 1: Formation and mechanisms of interaction of parasite EVs.
Figure 2: Interactions of EVs in the parasite population.
Figure 3: Interactions of EVs with host cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH; grant AI039033 to S.L.H.). A.J.S. is an Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Fellow and is supported, in part, by the NIH (training grant AI060546).

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, Georgia, USA

    Anthony J. Szempruch, Lauren Dennison, Rudo Kieft, John M. Harrington & Stephen L. Hajduk

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Correspondence to Stephen L. Hajduk.

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Szempruch, A., Dennison, L., Kieft, R. et al. Sending a message: extracellular vesicles of pathogenic protozoan parasites. Nat Rev Microbiol 14, 669–675 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2016.110

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