The in vivo dynamics of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei.
The in vivo dynamics of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei.
复制标题
DOI：
10.1126/science.aaa4502
复制
发表时间：
2015-03-27
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Papavasiliou FN
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mugnier MR;Cross GA;Papavasiliou FN
布氏锥虫是非洲睡眠病的病原体，它不断改变其致密变体表面糖蛋白（VSG）外壳，以避免被哺乳动物宿主的免疫系统消除，使用广泛的专用基因库。然而，VSG在T.对感染期间的布氏杆菌知之甚少。我们已经开发了一种方法，从头组装的VSG的基础上，定量研究表达的VSG在任何锥虫种群的多样性，从而监测体内VSG种群动态。我们的实验揭示了寄生虫种群内意想不到的多样性，以及使基因组编码的VSG库多样化的机制。T.布鲁塞及其东道主比先前预期的要活跃得多，也更加微妙。
Trypanosoma brucei, a causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness, constantly changes its dense variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat to avoid elimination by the immune system of its mammalian host, using an extensive repertoire of dedicated genes. However, the dynamics of VSG expression in T. brucei during an infection are poorly understood. We have developed a method, based on de novo assembly of VSGs, for quantitatively examining the diversity of expressed VSGs in any population of trypanosomes, and thereby monitored VSG population dynamics in vivo. Our experiments revealed unexpected diversity within parasite populations, and a mechanism for diversifying the genome-encoded VSG repertoire. The interaction between T. brucei and its host is substantially more dynamic and nuanced than previously expected.