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Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis

Date:
April 29, 2015
Source:
University of Salford
Summary:
New research has discovered a link between a vital pumping system that does not function correctly in people with cystic fibrosis and the parasite Toxoplasma. This is the first time a causal relationship has been proven between infection of the Toxoplasma gondii infection and a defect in the chloride pumping system being linked to diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The new knowledge from these research findings paves the way for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory diseases.
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New research has discovered a link between a vital pumping system that does not function correctly in people with cystic fibrosis and the parasite Toxoplasma.

A team of researchers from the University of Salford, led by Professor Geoff Hide, Professor of Parasitology at the School of Environment & Life Sciences, has worked with researchers from the Universities of Sun Yat-Sen, China and California in a study of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. The parasite is one of the most common in humans.

The team found that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite causes the chloride pumping system, which releases chloride irons to produce a surface liquid lining in order to prevent airborne pathogens from being inhaled, not to work.

In people with cystic fibrosis and pneumonia, this pump does not work. This defect is linked to infection by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite.

The research has revealed that a receptor called 'P2Y2-R', which picks up the signals to switch on this pump, is blocked when infected by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite.

This is the first time a causal relationship has been proven between infection of the Toxoplasma gondii infection and a defect in the chloride pumping system being linked to diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The new knowledge from these research findings paves the way for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory diseases.

Professor Hide believes that understanding the parasite is paramount for developing treatments in the future.

He said: "This is a very important finding as this parasite is thought to infect around 10% of people in the UK and 30% of people globally."

"While the parasite normally does not affect us, in some cases, such as, during pregnancy or immune system illnesses, it can cause considerable harm, including impairment of lung function."


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Materials provided by University of Salford. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Hong-Mei Guo, Jiang-Mei Gao, Yu-Li Luo, Yan-Zi Wen, Yi-Lin Zhang, Geoff Hide, Wen-Liang Zhou, Francisco J. Ayala, Zhao-Rong Lun. Infection byToxoplasma gondii, a severe parasite in neonates and AIDS patients, causes impaired anion secretion in airway epithelia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015; 112 (14): 4435 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1503474112

Cite This Page:

University of Salford. "Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 April 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150429085428.htm>.
University of Salford. (2015, April 29). Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150429085428.htm
University of Salford. "Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150429085428.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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