Multiple mechanisms of immune evasion by African trypanosomes
JE Donelson, KL Hill, NMA El-Sayed - Molecular and biochemical …, 1998 - Elsevier
During infection of a mammalian host, African trypanosomes are in constant contact with the
host's immune system. These protozoan parasites are infamous for their ability to evade the
immune responses by periodically switching their major variant surface glycoprotein (VSG),
a phenomenon called antigenic variation. Antigenic variation, however, is likely to be only
one of several mechanisms enabling these organisms to thrive in the face of the immune
defenses. The ability to grow in high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and to avoid …
host's immune system. These protozoan parasites are infamous for their ability to evade the
immune responses by periodically switching their major variant surface glycoprotein (VSG),
a phenomenon called antigenic variation. Antigenic variation, however, is likely to be only
one of several mechanisms enabling these organisms to thrive in the face of the immune
defenses. The ability to grow in high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and to avoid …
