Differential Midgut Attachment ofLeishmania (Viannia) braziliensisin the Sand FliesLutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmaniandLutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia

[摘要] The interaction betweenLeishmaniaand sand flies has been demonstrated in many Old and New World species. Besides the morphological differentiation from procyclic to infective metacyclic promastigotes, the parasite undergoes biochemical transformations in its major surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG). An upregulation ofβ-glucose residues was previously shown in the LPG repeat units from procyclic to metacyclic phase inLeishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, which has not been reported in anyLeishmaniaspecies. LPG has been implicated as an adhesion molecule that mediates the interaction with the midgut epithelium of the sand fly in the SubgenusLeishmania. These adaptations were explored for the first time in a species from the SubgenusViannia, L. (V.) braziliensiswith its natural vectorsLutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermediaandLutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani. Using two in vitro binding techniques, phosphoglycans (PGs) derived from procyclic and metacyclic parasites were able to bind to the insect midgut and inhibitL. braziliensisattachment. Interestingly,L. braziliensisprocyclic parasite attachment was∼11-fold greater in the midgut ofL. whitmanithan inL. intermedia. The epidemiological relevance ofL. whitmanias a vector of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in Brazil is discussed.

[学科分类] 基础医学