TY - JOUR
T1 - The in vivo dynamics of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei
AU - Mugnier, Monica R.
AU - Cross, George A.M.
AU - Papavasiliou, F. Nina
PY - 2015/3/27
Y1 - 2015/3/27
N2 - Trypanosoma brucei, a causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness, constantly changes its dense variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat to avoid elimination by the immune system of its mammalian host, using an extensive repertoire of dedicated genes. However, the dynamics of VSG expression in T. brucei during an infection are poorly understood.We have developed a method, based on de novo assembly of VSGs, for quantitatively examining the diversity of expressed VSGs in any population of trypanosomes and monitored VSG population dynamics in vivo. Our experiments revealed unexpected diversity within parasite populations and a mechanism for diversifying the genome-encoded VSG repertoire. The interaction between T. brucei and its host is substantially more dynamic and nuanced than previously expected.
AB - Trypanosoma brucei, a causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness, constantly changes its dense variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat to avoid elimination by the immune system of its mammalian host, using an extensive repertoire of dedicated genes. However, the dynamics of VSG expression in T. brucei during an infection are poorly understood.We have developed a method, based on de novo assembly of VSGs, for quantitatively examining the diversity of expressed VSGs in any population of trypanosomes and monitored VSG population dynamics in vivo. Our experiments revealed unexpected diversity within parasite populations and a mechanism for diversifying the genome-encoded VSG repertoire. The interaction between T. brucei and its host is substantially more dynamic and nuanced than previously expected.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84963941005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84963941005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1126/science.aaa4502
DO - 10.1126/science.aaa4502
M3 - Article
C2 - 25814582
AN - SCOPUS:84963941005
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 347
SP - 1470
EP - 1473
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 6229
ER -