Macromolecular trafficking and immune evasion in african trypanosomes

Abstract

Intracellular trafficking is a major mechanism contributing to maintenance of the surface composition in most eukaryotic cells. In the case of unicellular eukaryotic pathogens, the surface also represents the host-parasite interface. Therefore, the parasite surface is both a critical player in immune recognition, from the host's point of view, or in immune evasion, from the pathogen's point. The African trypanosomes are remarkable in dwelling throughout their period in the mammalian host within the bloodstream and tissue spaces, and have evolved several mechanisms that facilitate chronic infection. Here, we discuss current understanding of intracellular trafficking pathways of trypanosomes, and relate these processes to immune evasion strategies by the parasite and avoidance of immune responses from the host.