H-IPSE is a pathogen-secreted host nucleus infiltrating protein (infiltrin) expressed exclusively by the Schistosoma haematobium egg stage. Infect Immun. 2017 Sep 18. pii: IAI.00301-17. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00301-17. [Epub ahead of print]
Our joint work with Michael H Hsieh's (Biomedical Research Institute and George Washingtom University) and Theodore Jardeztky's (Stanford University) groups has just been published in Infection and Immunity. The work describes an emerging class of molecules secreted by trematode parasites, in this case by the blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium, which have the surprising ability to enter host cells, passing several biological barriers, including the cytoplasmic and nuclear membrane, and enter host cell nuclei. this has led us to call such molecules 'infiltrins'. The function in the nucleus remains to be elucidated, but we believe that it is a hitherto unrecognised mechanisms by which parasites overcome host defense mechanisms and generate an environment conducive to their survival and transmission. The paper is co- first authored by Luke F Pennington in Stanford and Aziz Alouffi, who very recently graduated from our group. This work is also the basis of a new NIH R01 grant which has been awarded to the same team to elucidate the mechanisms of H-IPSE in a therapeutic context. Watch this space!
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