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Mechanisms for the elimination of potentially lytic complement-fixing variable surface glycoprotein antibody-complexes inTrypanosoma brucei

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Abstract

Live antibody-coatedTrypanosoma brucei parasites remove variable surface glycoprotein (VSG)-antibody complexes from their surface upon warming to 37° C and evade antibody-activated complement lysis by both protein synthesis-dependent and protein synthesis-independent mechanisms. The protein synthesis-dependent process follows antibody-mediated trypanosome agglutination, whereas the protein synthesis-independent mechanism can occur in the absence of trypanosome agglutination. The latter process leads to a more rapid climination of complement-fixing VSG-antibody complexes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. L.F. Kimball Research Institute, The New York Blood Center, 310 67th Street, 10021, New York, NY, USA

    D. C. W. Russo

  2. International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya

    D. J. L. Williams

  3. Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    D. J. Grab

Authors
  1. D. C. W. Russo
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  2. D. J. L. Williams
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  3. D. J. Grab
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Russo, D.C.W., Williams, D.J.L. & Grab, D.J. Mechanisms for the elimination of potentially lytic complement-fixing variable surface glycoprotein antibody-complexes inTrypanosoma brucei . Parasitol Res 80, 487–492 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00932695

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