Journal Article

Role of Prostaglandin F2αProduction in Lipid Bodies From Leishmania infantum chagasi: Insights on Virulence

Bozza, Patricia T., Araújo-Santos, Théo, Rodríguez, Nilda E., Wilson, Mary E., Moura-Pontes, Sara, Dixt, Upasna Gaur, Borges, Valéria Matos, Abánades, Daniel R.

2014

Overview

Lipid bodies (LB; lipid droplets) are cytoplasmic organdies involved in lipid metabolism. Mammalian LBs display an important role in host-pathogen interactions, but the role of parasite LBs in biosynthesis of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) has not been investigated. We report herein that LBs increased in abundance during development of Leishmania infantum chagasi to a virulent metacyclic stage, as did the expression of PGF2α synthase (PGFS). The amount of parasite LBs and PGF2α were modulated by exogenous arachidonic acid. During macrophage infection, LBs were restricted to parasites inside the parasitophorous vacuoles (PV). We detected PGF2α receptor (FP) on the Leishmania PV surface. The blockage of FP with AL8810, a selective antagonist, hampered Leishmania infection, whereas the irreversible inhibition of cydooxygenase with aspirin increased the parasite burden. These data demonstrate novel functions for parasite-derived LBs and PGF2α in the cellular metabolism of Leishmania and its evasion of the host immune response.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Amastigotes / Animals / Biological and medical sciences / Dinoprost - metabolism / Eicosanoids / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Infections / Infectious diseases / Leishmania infantum - growth & development / Leishmania infantum - metabolism / Lipid bodies / Lipid Droplets - metabolism / Lipids / Macrophages / Macrophages - parasitology / Major and Brief Reports / Male / Medical sciences / Mesocricetus / Mice, Inbred BALB C / Microbiology / Parasite hosts / Parasite Load / Parasites / Promastigotes / Prostaglandins