Mitta G, Adema CM, Gourbal B, Loker ES, Theron A. Compatibility polymorphism in snail/schistosome interactions: From field to theory to molecular mechanisms.
Dev Comp Immunol 2012;
37:1-8. [PMID:
21945832 PMCID:
PMC3645982 DOI:
10.1016/j.dci.2011.09.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Revised: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Coevolutionary dynamics in host-parasite interactions potentially lead to an arms race that results in compatibility polymorphism. The mechanisms underlying compatibility have remained largely unknown in the interactions between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni, one of the agents of human schistosomiasis. This review presents a combination of data obtained from field and laboratory studies arguing in favor of a matching phenotype model to explain compatibility polymorphism. Investigations focused on the molecular determinants of compatibility have revealed two repertoires of polymorphic and/or diversified molecules that have been shown to interact: the parasite antigens S. mansoni polymorphic mucins and the B. glabrata fibrinogen-related proteins immune receptors. We hypothesize their interactions define the compatible/incompatible status of a specific snail/schistosome combination. This line of thought suggests concrete approaches amenable to testing in field-oriented studies attempting to control schistosomiasis by disrupting schistosome-snail compatibility.
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