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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Trypanosoma cruzi extracellular amastigotes and host cell signaling: more pieces to the puzzle

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Author(s):
Ferreira, Eden R. [1] ; Bonfim-Melo, Alexis [1] ; Mortara, Renato A. [1] ; Bahia, Diana [1, 2]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Disciplina Parasito, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Biol Geral, Inst Ciencias Biol, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Review article
Source: FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY; v. 3, 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 12
Abstract

Among the different infective stages that Trypanosoma cruzi employs to invade cells, extracellular amastigotes (EAs) have recently gained attention by our group. This is true primarily because these amastigotes are able to infect cultured cells and animals, establishing a sustainable infective cycle. EAs are thus an excellent means of adaptation and survival for T cruzi, whose different infective stages each utilize unique mechanisms for attachment and penetration. Here we discuss some features of host cell invasion by EAs and the associated host cell signaling events that occur as part of the process. (AU)