Iron mediates trichomonas vaginalis resistance to complement lysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted disease agent in humans, is readily lysed by activation of the alternative complement pathway. The parasite became resistant following growth in medium supplemented by iron compared to parasites grown in medium depleted of iron, which were readily killed by complement. The resistance to complement was dependent on iron concentration while divalent cations other than iron were ineffective, showing specific regulation of this property by iron. Lactoferrin, but not transferrin, rendered low-iron-parasites resistant to complement lysis, reinforcing thein vivomodulation by a known source of iron for this parasite. Pretreatment of high-iron, complement-resistant parasites with proteinase inhibitors resulted in lysis by complement, indicating that resistance was likely due to proteinase degradation of C3 on the trichomonal surface. © 1995 Academic Press.

Comments

Copyright 1995 Academic Press Limited

First Page

93

Last Page

103

Publication Title

Microbial Pathogenesis

DOI

10.1006/mpat.1995.0049

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