Human tumor necrosis factor is a chemoattractant for the parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Infect Immun. 2006 Feb;74(2):1407-11. doi: 10.1128/IAI.74.2.1407-1411.2006.

Abstract

In an analysis of the molecular factors triggering amebiasis, we investigated the chemotaxis of Entamoeba histolytica toward tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in vitro, using quantitative imaging techniques. Our findings enabled us to propose a hitherto unknown role for TNF as a chemokinetic and chemoattractant agent for this parasite.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemotactic Factors / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Entamoeba histolytica / growth & development
  • Entamoeba histolytica / pathogenicity
  • Entamoeba histolytica / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology*

Substances

  • Chemotactic Factors
  • TNF protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha